From Forgotten Villages to Flourishing Communities: Governor Bala Mohammed’s Revolution in Bauchi

From Bauchi to Abuja? Residents Pray Bala Mohammed Becomes Nigeria’s President

By Paul Orude, Bauchi

When the Bauchi State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Usman Shehu Usman, led a team of journalists, media executives, and government officials on a statewide tour of projects executed by Governor Bala Mohammed, little did anyone know that the inspection exercise would turn into a festival of gratitude and prayers.

From Warji to Ningi, Bogoro to Dass, Ganjuwa to Tafawa Balewa, residents of rural communities once cut off from civilisation poured out their hearts in joy, celebrating the governor’s infrastructural strides and even praying that he ascends to the presidency of Nigeria so that “a larger audience” can benefit from his passion for the ordinary man.

At every stop, emotion-laden voices echoed one message: “Our governor has liberated us from suffering.”

Warji: A Road Out of Isolation

In Warji, residents recalled how life was once a nightmare. Before the construction of the 19.5-kilometre Warji–Gwaram road, farmers could not move their produce, traders avoided the area, and journeys that should take minutes stretched into hours of hardship.

Executive Chairman of Warji Local Government, Hon. Aminu Barmini, described the road as a lifeline.

“With this new road, our people can now travel with ease to Ningi, Jigawa, and Kano. It has transformed our economy and our lives,” he said.

District Head of Warji, Alhaji Samaila Ibrahim, was more poetic: “The governor built the road that opened us from the prison we were in. Today, we reach Kano and Jigawa within hours instead of wasting long hours on bad roads. We will always protect him and pray for his success.”

Beyond the road, the community listed other dividends of democracy brought to them: a 150-bed general hospital nearing completion, erosion control projects in Dagu, palaces for traditional rulers, renovated schools, and healthcare centres in nearly all wards.

Ningi: Confidence in Leadership

In Ningi, the story was the same. Council Chairman, Alhaji Nasiru Zakaria, reeled out a list of projects — from the 11-kilometre township dualisation (70 percent completed) to multiple rural roads, district head palaces, and new health centres.

“Even if Governor Bala Mohammed were a son of this emirate, this is the limit of what he could have done for us. We pass a vote of confidence in him,” Zakaria declared.

The Emirate, visibly moved, applauded the governor for bringing development to a region long neglected.

Bogoro: Roads that Save Lives

In Bogoro, residents could barely hold back tears of relief as they celebrated the completion of the Boi–Tapshin and Malar–Lusa–Bogoro roads. For years, floods had claimed lives and farmlands, but the elevated Tapshin Bridge now guarantees safer movement.

“We went through hell during rainy seasons,” recalled Istifanus Barde, a farmer in Tapshin. “Now, trade, farming, and even our social lives are back. We thank Governor Bala Mohammed and pray that God lifts him higher.”

At the Local Government Secretariat, the inspection team was received by Chairman Hon. Lawi Yakubu Tsumi, who expressed gratitude to the governor for initiating and executing people-oriented projects. He showcased roads, palaces for traditional rulers, and health projects constructed under the Bala Mohammed administration, as well as the ongoing reconstruction of the Chairman’s official residence.

The team also inspected the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Secretariat in Bogoro, which is nearing completion after decades of delay. Hon. Tsumi thanked the governor for supporting its construction, saying it proved he was a governor for all. He added that upon completion, the project would serve a significant purpose and enhance the operational efficiency of Christian denominations in the area.

Dass: Royal Gratitude and Community Renewal

Perhaps the most symbolic voice came from the Emir of Dass, His Royal Highness Usman Bilyaminu Othman, who thanked the governor for the people-oriented projects his administration has brought to the people of the state and Dass in particular.

He said: “The governor has touched virtually every aspect of life, especially in the three most important areas: roads, healthcare, and education. In Dass, rural feeder roads have advanced, health facilities have been upgraded to the required standard, and schools have been improved. He has also remembered the traditional system by remodeling and upgrading the palaces of all six first-class emirs, renovating over 40 palaces of district heads, and more than 300 ward heads across the state. This is something we will never forget. He has done many legacy projects, including the Government House, which was left unattended for over 40 years. We are grateful.”

The Emir added that the people of Dass would always remember the governor for addressing one of their major challenges — constructing the road linking Dass to Rimin Zayam and Nabordo in Toro. “It used to take us long hours to get to those places, but with the new road, the journey is smoother and faster,” he said.

While receiving the team in his office, the Chairman of Dass Local Government Area, Hon. Mohammed Jibo, also thanked the governor for initiating and completing many capital projects. He listed the establishment of the College of Education (Technical) in Dass, provision of tractors for farming, renovation and furnishing of the Local Government Secretariat, and the renovation of Dass General Hospital among the key interventions.

He added that communities were rejoicing as construction was ongoing on roads neglected by previous administrations, including Abujan Raman to Bakin Kogi, Bayan Fada to Bundot Kasuwa Juma’at, Baraza, Durr to Dado, Lukshi, and Zumbul to Bazali, among other rural feeder and township roads.

Tafawa Balewa: Linking Communities

Briefing journalists after concluding the project inspection in Dass, Tafawa Balewa, and Bogoro, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Comrade Mukhtar Gidado, said the team inspected several strategic projects, including the Lere–Boi road linking Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro, now about 45 percent complete.

In Tafawa Balewa, the team inspected township roads in Bununu, the renovation of the District Head’s Palace in Zwal, and the Village Head’s Palace in Bununu.

Comrade Gidado emphasized that the administration is satisfied with the progress of work in all the local governments, noting that the projects reflect Governor Bala Mohammed’s dogged commitment to rural development.

Ganjuwa: Expanding Access and Opportunities

In Ganjuwa Local Government, while receiving the inspection team, the Chairman, Hon. Mohammed Magayaki, commended Governor Bala Mohammed for transforming the area through people-oriented projects.

He noted that the governor’s administration has prioritized road construction that is easing movement and trade across rural communities, thereby expanding economic opportunities. Health facilities have been upgraded to improve access to quality care for rural dwellers, while interventions in schools are helping to raise educational standards.

Hon. Magayaki also praised the governor for recognizing the traditional institution, with the renovation of palaces for district and ward heads strengthening cultural identity and community leadership.

According to him, for the first time in decades, Ganjuwa is witnessing projects that touch directly on the lives of ordinary citizens, leaving a legacy that will be remembered for generations.

A Governor for Higher Office?

Across the local governments visited, one refrain kept recurring: the belief that Bala Mohammed deserves a higher platform. From farmers to traditional rulers, traders to teachers, voices rose in unison praying for him to become Nigeria’s President.

“His heart is with the common man,” said a resident of Dagu. “If he can do this for us in Bauchi, imagine what he will do for Nigeria.”

Commissioner’s Assurance

Responding, Commissioner for Information, Usman Shehu Usman, assured that the administration remained committed to completing all ongoing projects before the end of the governor’s tenure.

“This tour is about assessing progress, quality, and the real impact of projects on communities. From what we have seen, the story of Bauchi under Governor Bala Mohammed is one of transformation,” he said.

Hope Restored

From once-forgotten villages now linked by durable roads, to modern hospitals rising in rural towns, to renovated palaces standing as symbols of renewed dignity, the message from Bauchi people is unmistakable: Governor Bala Mohammed has restored hope.

And as they shower him with prayers, the dream of seeing their governor ascend to the presidency remains their boldest wish — so that the joy they now celebrate in Bauchi can be extended across Nigeria.