Bala Mohammed’s Aso Rock Journey

8 Revelations at the Presentation of His Nomination Forms by BAM 

It is no longer news that the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, CON, is running for President. Though he is yet to make a formal declaration, the presentation of intention to run and nomination forms to him by the Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed Vanguard, BAM-V group marked what could be described as a point of no return for Bala Mohammed. This is because of certain developments, surrounding the occasion. Below are 10 of those developments.

Bala for President Promoters Win

Prior to that event, Bala Mohammed had received several endorsements to run for office. But on many occasions, he parried the question of whether he would run or not. His standard response was that he was still consulting, probably because he was also under pressure from his primary constituency of Bauchi State where majority of the indigenes were prepared to allow him to go to   However, like the beautiful bride who had decided to end guessing by suitors, Bala Mohammed said: “I do”. Here is his words: “On my own, I may not have come out but what BMV has done for me today has given me the impetus to offer myself to serve…with this energy and impetus, I have accepted these forms. They will be filled with the required information, and I will do my best to start this journey”.

BAM-V is a National Movement

BAM-V, the group that bought the form for Bala Mohammed, is a national movement with members all over the 36 states and Abuja embracing Nigeria’s rich diversity. Evidence of this was on parade as reps from the six-geopolitical; zones introduced themselves while presenting the forms at the Bauchi Governor’s Lodge in Abuja

 Bala, a Quiet Presidential Ambition

It is true that Bala Mohammed had always been in a dilemma over whether to run or not. In fact, if he didn’t have, how come that a BAM-V movement had tentacles in all the states of the Federation? Truth is that Bala Mohammed had long leveraged the strategic positions he occupied: director in the federal civil service, senator, minister and governor, to prepare himself for higher leadership position. The moment has come.

Bauchi Resistance Collapsing  

Before now, Bala Mohammed had been caught in the horns of a big dilemma: how not to betray the confidence of the Bauchi electorate who voted him into power but who, on account of the Governor’s’ sterling performance, wouldn’t let go. The leadership of the PDP in Bauchi State appeared, justifiably though, to have towed such a parochial line, that it was better to salvage Bauchi State before Nigeria. But on that occasion, chairman of the PDP in Bauchi Alhaji Hamza Akuyam who, on previous occasions spoke in parables, decided to openly support Bala Mohammed’s ambition because, in his words, Nigeria needed to be rescued by a man with the experience, zeal, sense of purpose and nationalistic predilection of Bala Mohammed

Ready to Serve

Though he has always said that the presidency is not a life and death matter, nor would he say that it is his life time ambition, there is no question about Bala Mohammed’s readiness to serve. To the invitation by Mohammed Jibo, director-general of BAM-V, to accept the challenge of rescuing Nigeria from what he described as leadership deficit, Bala Mohammed responded, saying: Given the opportunity, I will not let you down…Nigeria has the resources and with the right leadership, we can become an important member of the global community…We are ready for business; we are ready to work”.

Bala as Diversity Management Expert

There is a broad consensus that what Nigeria needs most at this time is a leader who can guarantee national unity by repairing the cracks in the polity, a leader who would habitually and sincerely ensure that no part or group in the country feels marginalized; a leader who would make inclusion of all his or her watchword. As Senator, Bala Mohammed distinguished himself as a constitutionalist dedicated to national unity and due process. Thus, his Doctrine of Necessity Motion that paved the way for Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to take over as President in 2020 remains indelible in the annals of brinksmanship in Nigerian politics. On the occasion of the presentation of the form, Bala Mohammed echoed his nationalist mantra when he said: “…I am not going to be President of a zone. I will be the President of Nigeria”. Solemn promise from someone with a track record. Little wonder, spokesperson for BAM-V, Emeka Uzor said: “We need someone that is detribalized, someone that sees everyone as his own, someone that loves people more than money, someone that recognizes the power of women and the youths…The format he used in ruling this city, Abuja…many people who had no connections got land under his leadership and are today landlords in this city…”  

A track Record of Quality Service

Bala Mohammed’s antecedents resonated as the linchpin of the endorsement by BAM-V and other groups. Of this, Uzor said: “When he gets to Aso Rock, he must train new leaders. He has done it in Bauchi, and he will do it again”. Women leader of the group, Charity Anthony Erhire concurred, saying: “Today, BVM honored you because we see you as a leader with passion for humanity. We consulted widely and we found you are the potential this country needs. You are destined to rule this country. We will vote and defend our votes and our leaders are ready to work for you.

Bala Mohammed’s Team Unfolding

The BAM event provided an opportunity to see some members of Bala Mohammed’s Team in broad daylight, unlike other engagements that took place in the cover of darkness. Astute political organizer Professor Udenta O. Udenta who made the opening speech is said to be leading a technical team that is architecting a road map for the presidential campaign. Also present was policy specialist Dr. Kunle Fagbemi who has been described as a strategic component of the brain box of the Bala Presidential campaign. Visibly present also were former Deputy National Secretary of the PDP Dr. Emmanuel Agbo, the Principal Private Secretary to Governor Bala Mohammed Mr. Sumaila Burga, Senior Special Assistants to Governor Bala Mohammed Engineer Eric Anyaemene and Hon. Hassan Grema. Not to be missed was Bala Mohammed’s long- time friend, professional colleague media consultant, the veteran journalist, media manager and publisher, Mr. Emma Agu.

No doubt, the Bala Mohammed presidential effort is a national project of far-reaching ramifications. The outcome: Time will tell. For now, the presentation of expression of interest and nomination forms provided useful insight into what is, no doubt, a nationwide movement embraced with the buy-in of a cross-section of Nigerians.