Leave Osinbajo to Work, Bala Mohammed Tells Politicians

• Denies knowledge of plot to sack acting president

Former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed, has appealed to those he described as “political opportunists and agent provocateur” to allow acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, concentrate on stabilising Nigeria’s democracy.

Mohammed who was reacting to reports authored by an online news platform alleging his involvement in some plots to remove Osinbajo from office, said the allegation was a figment of the author’s imagination, baseless, malicious and part of smear campaign to dent his political career.
He denied knowledge of the said meeting purportedly held in Saudi Arabia, adding that his sojourn abroad did not go beyond the usual spiritual obligation which has become part of his life for over 35 years, now.

“I was not invited to such a meeting, if it held at all. And even if I had been invited I would not have attended for reasons that are all too obvious. My antecedents are so well established that to associate me with a clandestine parochial project aimed at subverting the constitution will negate everything that I stand for and cherish.

“No matter how anybody feels, it must be acknowledged that Osinbajo is today occupying the position of acting President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by the grace of God. Therefore, political opportunists and agent provocateur especially those of his All Progressives Congress (APC) should spare the nation this embarrassing conspiracy narrative that is domiciled in their party.”

The former FCT Minister, therefore advised the desperate politicians to burry their differences and come together and join hands with the acting president, adding that “when tempers are flaring up dangerously and fear has become the order of the day, what is required is for all stakeholders, notwithstanding personal ambitions, party affiliation or sub-national interests, to join hands with the acting president in stabilising the ship of state.

“Unless we are being hypocritical, Osinbajo is doing his best to bridge the leadership vacuum created by the absence of the president, a vacuum that has triggered all kinds of dangerous political permutations.

“The country’s leadership is expected to galvanise all stakeholders while the political class is expected to rally behind it to fashion a way out of the present crisis. I would want to say that Professor Osinbajo has demonstrated courage in the face of danger, commendable sobriety in spite of provocation and focus in the midst of distraction to the extent that, I am confident, President Buhari will be very proud of him. I make this comment with every sense of responsibility and without prejudice to my loyalty to my party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and my personal ambition and aspirations as a politician!”

Recalling his brave roles during the similar dark period of former President Yar’Adua’s era, Senator Mohammed recalled how he spearheaded the National Integrity Group (NIG), in the Senate to pave the way for the then Vice President Goodluck Jonathan to emerge as acting president under the “Doctrine of Necessity” proclamation adding “ Why would I then descend from that high moral pedestal, from the status of a statesman, to the nadir of political juvenility and rascality at a time that summons all patriots, to join forces to stabilise our tottering nation-state.”

He also advised his detractors and political opponents not waste their precious resources on devious plans to destroy him through campaigns of calumny and false accusations because, according to him” like all false witnesses, God will cut them down at the point of their successes. In this regard, my faith in God remains unshaken and my commitment to a united Nigeria anchored on equity, justice and fair play as bedrocks of a true federation remain sacrosanct.

“Consequently, it is therefore axiomatic that, no amount of cheap blackmail, no level of persecution and no subterfuge by the medium and its promoters will diminish my resolve to continue to play constructive and patriotic roles in serving the good people of Bauchi State and our dear country Nigeria.
“Finally, I implore all Nigerians to continue to pray for the good health of our President and for God to grant Acting President Osinbajo the wisdom to lead the country in the right direction until the President returns.”