BY: MUHAMMAD NURA TSAFE, MINNA
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago and his Deputy, Comrade Yakubu Garba, have come under public scrutiny for their simultaneous trip to Saudi Arabia for this year’s pilgrimage.
Their absence has sparked accusations of neglecting governance responsibilities amid significant security challenges in Niger State.
The controversy centers on their failure to transmit power as required by Section 190 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, leaving the state without clear leadership. Opposition parties and political leaders criticized this decision, highlighting that government activities have stalled, and Democracy Day celebrations were held in a vacuum.
Leaders like Alhaji Umar Danladi Abdulhamid of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and Alhaji Yahaya Ability of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) described the situation as a political disaster. They condemned the Governor’s disregard for constitutional protocols and the feelings of the citizens, especially given the ongoing insecurity, with frequent attacks in several local governments.
The opposition has called for the immediate return of the Governor and his team to address the state’s security issues and uphold the constitution. They also urged voters to consider these actions when choosing their leaders in future elections. Despite attempts to get a response from government officials, there has been no official comment on the matter.