A close ally of Niger State Governor Umar Mohammed Bago, Alhaji Yunusa Abdullahi, has dismissed opposition criticisms as baseless regarding the governor, his deputy, and the state assembly speaker’s simultaneous pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
Abdullahi emphasized that the trip does not breach any constitutional provisions, comparing it to practices in established democracies like the United States.
Opposition figures from the NNPP and PDP had criticized the leaders’ absence, but Abdullahi countered that loyalists are fully capable of managing the state’s affairs in their absence. He accused the opposition of lacking focus and ideology.
Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed, national convener of Volunteers for Asiwaju and Umar Mohammed Bago, echoed Abdullahi’s sentiments.
He described the opposition’s claims as diversionary and inciting, stressing that the governor has a robust administrative structure with trusted emissaries ensuring continuity.
Mohammed urged the people of Niger State to ignore what he termed “ill-conceived antics” of detractors aiming to destabilize the state.
He assured that development activities are ongoing and called on citizens to continue supporting Governor Bago for the delivery of democratic dividends.
