By Suzan Edeh

THE uniqueness of the  2015 Democracy Day celebration in Nigeria, was not lost on the people of Bauchi State, who saw it as an avenue to chart a new direction for the state.

Like at the federal level where the All Progressives Congress, APC, assumed leadership, the party also commenced governing the state on same date following the swearing in of Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar as the state governor.

Indeed, Abubakar’s trouncing of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, at the governorship election was so remarkable that many eagerly looked forward to the inauguration day.

The historical significance of the victory largely manifested in the number and quality of those, who converged at the  Abubakar Tafawa Balewa stadium for the event.

The fear that Boko Haram insurgents might strike on that day, informed the low-keyed nature of the well attended forum. Notwithstanding, the pulse of the state was ecstatic, given the increasing popularity of the APC in the state.

Remarkably, messages of hope resonated at the event in a manner reflective of a common resolve to position Bauchi on the part of prosperity.

Empty treasury

After Abubakar and his deputy, Mr. Nuhu Gidado took the oath of office at 11:38 am which was administered by the acting Chief Judge of the state, Justice Rabi  Umar,   the governor,  who   addressed the mammoth crowd  lamented that he was inheriting an  treasury.

Mohammed Abubakar

He accused the PDP of being responsible for the precarious financial status of the state.

“This is a historic event because an opposition party has taken over the government of Bauchi State, but the treasury of the government is completely empty. For this reason, I beg our traditional and political leaders to help us explain to the people that the PDP created the current challenges in the state,’’he noted.

He further said: ‘’ For us to be able to correct this ugly situation, it will take a lot of time. Therefore it is not going to be magical or over night. I am urging the good people of Bauchi to understand. I am not saying we are shying away from the challenges before us because we know it is not going to be easy. I am assuring that we are equal to the task and we will do everything to bring the state out of its financial quagmire”

He commended the people for making the party’s victory possible, saying the steadfastness of the leaders of APC and the people of the state made the party’s impressive outing at the general election happen.

Executive rascality

The Senator representing Bauchi North, Sen Nazif Gamawa, corroborated Abubakar’s stance on the state’s financial status, saying that the APC came on board to salvage the nation.

He said:” Under the PDP government, the masses suffered and they had no hope. There were financial misappropriation, insecurity, corruption, unemployment and underdevelopment.

“APC came to rescue Nigerians from hardship. The party came on board to put an end to executive rascality. The victory of the party did not come as a surprise because the PDP knew they failed and they were shown the way out. However,   the party is pleading with the masses to be patient, particularly with the financial situation of the state as we  know that the incoming government met an empty treasury. The change they desire cannot happen over night because of the havoc perpetrated during the reign of the PDP.”

On the sideline, some residents of the state  used the opportunity to set agenda for President, Muhammadu Buhari.

Mr. Dauda Abdullahi, said: ‘’The country is daily under serious attack by terrorists. I also remember how over 200 girls were abducted  by insurgents. This is the area I want President Muhammadu Buhari to tackle   in order to put an end to insecurity in the country”

Alhaji Lawal Suleiman,  a Bauchi base businessman, said : ‘’I hope that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari will look into the challenges the nation is experiencing and make a difference this time because we are tired of suffering. We want good roads,improved electricity, employment and youth empowerment programmes”