Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has clarified the reason for his absence during the New Year visit by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Lagos residence.
The governor emphasized that his absence was not politically motivated, addressing growing speculation surrounding the incident.
On January 1, several state governors, including those from Kano, Delta, Kwara, Lagos, Rivers, and Borno, met with the President at his Bourdillon Road residence in Ikoyi, Lagos.
However, Governor Mohammed, who also serves as Chairman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, was not present, raising questions due to recent disagreements with the Presidency over proposed tax reforms.
The Presidency had earlier accused the governor of making threatening remarks against President Tinubu.
Governor Mohammed had responded by accusing the Presidency of blackmail, reiterating his stance against the reforms. This backdrop led to speculation that his absence was a deliberate political statement.
However, on Thursday, Mukhtar Gidado, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Mohammed, dismissed these claims. Gidado revealed that the governor was mourning the death of his 102-year-old stepmother, Hauwa Duguri, who passed away on New Year’s Day.
“The stepmother of the governor, Hauwa Duguri, passed away on Wednesday, the same day as the New Year visit,” Gidado said. “The governor has been restless. As I speak to you, we are in his country home in Duguri, mourning her loss.
“It is uncalled for to link the governor’s absence to his recent exchanges with the Presidency,” he added, noting that Mohammed was still receiving sympathisers offering condolences.
