Uncertainty as re-instated Bauchi dep gov resumes

By Susan Edeh

BAUCHI — FOLLOWING the judgment of a Bauchi State High Court presided over by Justice Haruna Tdanmani, the reinstated Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Mohammed Garba Gadi, yesterday, resumed in his office at about 7.00 a.m. amidst tight security provided by the state Police Command.

Garba Gadi arrived at the gate of the office in a brown Toyota Camry salon car, but was not permitted access to the main office of the Deputy Governor.

He was, however, allowed into the premises by the security men and he decided to stay at the waiting hall pending when he would gain entrance to the office he once occupied before his impeachment by the state House of Assembly for what was described as gross misconduct.

Although the reinstated Deputy Governor was escorted to the office by his supporters from across the state, they were not allowed in with him. Only a handful of his personal aides as well as the member representing Alkaleri\Kirfi Federal Constituency at 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 in with him.

Garba Gadi who spoke to newsmen through the barbed wire fence 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.”

Taking a bigger risk
Reminded that he could be taking a risk of his life by going to the office considering the tension the judgment had generated since it was delivered, Gadi 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 appealed to his supporters, particularly members of the opposition All Nigerian Peoples Party, ANPP, to refrain from doing anything that would jeopardize their victory but to remain law abiding citizens.

Near fisticuff
Meanwhile it took the prompt intervention of armed Mobile Policemen who stormed the Deputy Governor’s office to stop unpleasant actions by political thugs from the camps of the re-instated Deputy Governor and Alhaji Babayo Garba Gamawa, the man picked by the governor to replace him.

While those loyal to Gamawa were chanting, Sai Babayo, Gamawa shine Deputy, those loyal to the reinstated Deputy Governor were chanting, ‘Sai Baba Gadi’, Mai wuri yazo mai tabarma ya nade and so on.
The armed Police men used canisters of tear gas to disperse the crowd that had gathered from the opposing parties.