Nigerian Tribune - June 29, 2010

Reinstated Bauchi deputy gov resumes amidst tight security

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Written by Ishola Michael, Bauchi Tuesday, 29 June 2010

REINSTATED Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Mohammed Garba Gadi, on Monday, returned to the Deputy Governor’s office on the ever busy Yakubun Bauchi road, about 200 metres away from the Governor’s Office, at about 7.00 a.m. amidst tight security provided by the state police command. The development followed the judgment of a Bauchi State High Court 4, presided over by Justice Haruna Tsanmani, reinstating Gadi.

Gadi arrived at the gate of the office in a brown Toyota Camry car and was allowed into the premises by the security men at the gain. However, he could not get access into the main office of the deputy governor and he decided to stay in the waiting hall, pending when he would gain entrance into the office he once occupied before he was impeached by the state House of Assembly for what was described as gross misconduct.

Though, he was escorted to the office by his teeming supporters, they were not allowed to go in with him. But a few of his personal aides, as well as the member representing Alkaleri\Kirfi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Dr. Sani Abdul and the member representing Bauchi constituency in the state House of Assembly, Babayo ‘Dan-Dako’ Dali, were allowed inside with him.

Speaking to newsmen from inside the premises across the barbed wire fence, Gadi said, “As you can see, I have resumed my duties as the deputy governor because the court gave me judgment. I am right now in the office and will do my duties as provided for in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Isa Yuguda and his government should respect the rule of law and allow matters to rest.”

Reminded that he was taking a risk by going to the office, considering the tension the judgment had generated since it was delivered, he said, “yes I am taking a risk and I will take even a bigger risk for my supporters who have stood by me all along. This victory is not for me but for democracy and for Nigerians who hate injustice. The state police command has given me adequate security cover, as all my security aides have been returned. So, there is no cause for alarm.”

He, however, called on his supporters, particularly members of the opposition All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), not to do anything that would jeopardise their victory but to remain law-abiding citizens and follow the due process and the rule of law and act according to it, no matter the situation. He assured them that his coming back to office was an act of Allah.

Meanwhile, it took the prompt intervention of the armed mobile policemen, who stormed the deputy governor’s office to stop some political thugs from burning down the building while chanting, ‘Sai Babayo’, ‘Gamawa shine deputy’ while those loyal to the reinstated deputy governor were chanting, ‘Sai Baba Gadi’, ‘Mai wuri yazo mai tabarma ya nade’ and so on.

The armed policemen used canisters of teargas to disperse the crowd that had gathered from the opposing parties — the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition ANPP.

As of the time of this report, the state government had not made any official reaction to the development. But when contacted on the phone, the incumbent deputy governor, Alhaji Babayo Garba Gamawa, was said to be holding a crucial meeting with Governor Isa Yuguda at an undisclosed location within Bauchi.

Aboki politics