Bauchi Sacked Education Workers Demand Reinstatement, Seek Fair Review

By Ahmad Muhammad,  Bauchi

A group of disengaged workers from the Bauchi State Ministry of Education has appealed to the state government to reverse its decision and restore them to their positions.

The affected personnel, who served as Fingerprint Terminal Operators responsible for tracking teachers’ attendance in public schools, also called on the authorities to give them priority in the ongoing recruitment exercise.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Chairman of the Association of Bauchi Fingerprint Terminal Operators, Musa Alfa, said the workers had dedicated more than seven years to supporting the education system in the state.

According to him, their role was critical in strengthening discipline among teachers and ensuring punctuality, which in turn contributed to improved teaching and learning outcomes in public schools.

Alfa expressed disappointment over the manner of their disengagement, noting that it was carried out without prior notice or an opportunity for the workers to defend themselves.

“Our removal from service came as a shock and has placed more than 2,000 families under serious economic strain, as many of us depend solely on this job for survival,” he said.

He stressed that the affected workers possess the experience and relevant qualifications needed to continue contributing meaningfully to the education sector.

“We urge the government to reconsider its decision, reinstate us, or integrate us into the civil service,” Alfa added.

The group maintained that it remains committed to lawful and peaceful engagement, expressing optimism that the government would address their concerns with fairness and empathy.

Bauchi Moves to Rebuild Civil Service as Top Officials Undergo Intensive Training

By Ahmad Muhammad, Bauchi

The Bauchi State Government has launched a fresh drive to revitalise its civil service, with senior officials undergoing a comprehensive training programme aimed at improving governance and public service delivery.

Speaking at the opening of the five-day capacity-building workshop in Bauchi on Monday, Deputy Governor Auwal Jatau said the initiative reflects the administration’s resolve to reposition the civil service as an efficient engine for development.

He noted that the programme is both timely and strategic, pointing out that similar large-scale training for top civil servants had not taken place in more than 20 years.

According to him, upgrading the skills of senior government officials is key to promoting transparency, boosting efficiency and ensuring that policies are effectively implemented.

“The civil service is the backbone of governance, and strengthening its capacity is critical to delivering real development and quality services to citizens,” he said.

Jatau added that the administration of Governor Bala Mohammed has introduced a series of reforms, including investments in workforce development, digitisation of government operations and improved welfare for civil servants.

He further highlighted that regular salary payments and the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage have helped raise morale and productivity across the service.

Also speaking, the Head of the Civil Service, Sani Umar, explained that the training is designed to close critical skill gaps among senior officials.

He said the programme focuses on strengthening competencies in areas such as official correspondence, report writing, speech drafting and records management—skills he described as essential for effective administration.

Umar expressed optimism that participants would apply the knowledge gained to improve professionalism and service delivery, in line with the government’s goal of building a more responsive and results-driven civil service.

The training brings together Permanent Secretaries, Directors of Administration and Human Resource officers drawn from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) across the state.

APC Coalition Opposes Bala Mohammed’s Alleged Defection, Cites Risks to Party Unity

By Muhammad  Ahmad, Bauchi

A coalition operating under the banner of the APC Solidarity Group and Allied Associations has rejected reports of a planned defection by Bauchi State Governor, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, to the All Progressives Congress (APC), warning that such a move could destabilise the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement jointly signed by the Director of Programmes and External Affairs, IB. Muhammad, and the group’s Secretary, Abubakar Abdullahi, and made available to journalists on Friday in Bauchi, the coalition expressed strong reservations over the governor’s possible entry into the ruling party.

The group reaffirmed its loyalty to the APC, noting that the party had recently regained internal cohesion and renewed confidence among members, which it said was crucial for its electoral prospects in 2027, including continued support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

According to the coalition, admitting Governor Mohammed into the party at this stage could undermine the fragile unity already achieved. It accused the governor of consistently criticising the APC-led Federal Government and raising allegations against the ruling party during his time in the opposition.

The statement also pointed to what it described as waning public support for the governor’s administration in Bauchi State, arguing that his political standing may not add value to the APC.

It further highlighted existing political tensions between Mohammed and key APC stakeholders, including former governor Isa Yuguda, ex-Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, and Senator Shehu Buba Umar. The coalition warned that bringing the governor into the party could deepen divisions and trigger internal conflicts.

Beyond personality clashes, the group raised concerns about ideological differences and questioned the governor’s consistency in political alignment, suggesting that his defection could weaken party discipline and dampen the morale of long-standing members.

The coalition cautioned that accepting the governor could pose strategic challenges for the APC in Bauchi State, particularly as preparations intensify for the next election cycle.

Reiterating its position, the group declared that the governor, popularly known as “Kaura,” should not be admitted into the party, urging APC leaders to prioritise unity and stability.

It maintained that its stance was guided by a commitment to protect the integrity, cohesion, and electoral strength of the APC in the state.