I stand by my statement on Jonathan — Gov Mohammed replies critics

Bauchi state governor, Bala Mohammed 

The Governor of Bauchi state, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad has clarified his recent statement where he praised former President Goodluck Jonathan and likened him to God.

Gov Mohammed had said that former President Goodluck Jonathan was a great man and not an ethnic bigot.



He said that Goodluck Jonathan is not only his boss but he is also his mentor, adding that after God is Jonathan.

The governor said this in Abuja during a meeting of the Reconciliation Committee and Campaign Councils for Kogi and Bayelsa governorship elections scheduled for November 16.

He said, “The former president is not only my boss but my mentor. As far as I am concerned, after God is President Jonathan”, he said.




“I have never asked him for anything and said ‘no’. And you know how he suffered in silence and in melancholy in Bayelsa. And today, I know him, he will definitely say yes.

“Because as a former president who brought transformation to Nigeria, and who brought me out from a different zone to be the Minister of the FCT, and who has deepened the provision of leadership without sentiment.


However, his statement sparked heated reactions among Nigerians within and outside the state on why he will compare the former president with God.

But the state Commissioner of Information and Communications, Ladan Salihu, while addressing journalists on the issue, clarified the stance of his principal.

He pointed out that Governor Bala Muhammed had always acknowledged God and Prophet Muhammed before making any utterance.



He explained that the statement by the governor was purely normal and political statement and frowned at how it was being misinterpreted to the extent of linking the issue with faith. Daily Trust reports

He noted that the statement was misinterpreted and did not carry his actual message, adding that the governor only praised the former president whom he described as his political mentor and role model for giving him the mandate to serve as FCT Minister during his administration.

The commissioner appealed to the trouble makers to desist from using the statement to achieve their political gains as the governor will always have respect for his religion.