Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed is currently engulfed in a wave of criticism, as numerous allegations accuse his administration of orchestrating corrupt land allocations, abandoning major public infrastructure projects, and transferring state-owned properties to private individuals. Allegations have emerged that the governor’s family members—particularly his wife and son—have benefited from dubious allocations involving public assets. These claims have triggered outrage from residents demanding accountability and independent investigations.

Massive Building Allocated to Governor’s Wife

One of the most striking controversies involves the reported transfer of a sprawling government-owned two-storey building—spanning over 5,000 m²—located on Gombe Road. Sources allege that the property, formerly part of the telecom provider zonal office, was quietly handed over to the governor’s wife. Critics view this as a blatant abuse of power and conflict of interest. They have also noted that the government offered no transparent documentation or procedure to validate the transfer.

Prime Land Parcel Transferred to Governor’s Son’s Firm

Additional allegations have surfaced regarding the allocation of a substantial tract of prime land north of the Bauchi Central Market. Witnesses allege that authorities forcibly cleared hundreds of low-income families from their ancestral homes without fair legal process. They claim the victims received negligible compensation—far below the cost of adequate housing—leaving them homeless.

A whistleblower revealed that the contested land has since been transferred to a private construction firm allegedly tied to the governor’s eldest son, Shamsuddeen Bala Mohammed. The firm had previously received a lucrative road contract—from Yalwa Filling Station junction, through Gidan Gona (former airport), to Wikki Oil roundabout—but the pathway has remained unfinished and abandoned for over four years. Critics see this as a clear example of state contracts flowing to family-linked firms while citizens suffer the consequences.

Unregulated Sale of Airport Land

Beyond the road project, the same construction company allegedly began selling plots of land within the former Bauchi airport premises—a state-owned asset. Available information indicates that the firm executed these transactions without any formal legal paperwork or public tender. That lack of documentation has fueled suspicions that public resources are being misappropriated.

Public Safety on Dimming Streetlights

Meanwhile, residents have flagged problems with public infrastructure managed by entities connected to the governor’s family. They report that streetlights around the Government House are routinely switched off by 11 pm—and only return to operation when manually reactivated. Furthermore, multiple civic actors suggest that the company contracted to manage these lights is owned by the governor’s brother. Critics argue that this raises serious questions about accountability, public safety, and whether crony interests have overtaken essential civic services.

Rural Land Seizures for Political Ties

Officials and local communities in Gamawa, Darazo, and Toro local government areas assert that the administration has seized communal farmlands—destined for agriculture or housing—and allocated them to politically connected individuals without proper consent or compensation. Agricultural stakeholders describe this practice as marginalizing vulnerable groups and undermining local food security.

State-Owned Property Diverted Again

In addition to the building allocated to his wife, reports accuse the governor of redirecting government assets through nepotistic channels. These properties include lands meant for industrial and utility use. The public has condemned these actions, calling them symptomatic of a broader decay in governance and public trust. Activists and civic groups are now calling on anti-corruption agencies, watchdogs, and journalists to launch prompt and thorough investigations.

Arrest of Lecturer Over Viral Video

Adding fuel to the fire, authorities arrested Dr. Abubakar Ahmad—a lecturer from Gombe—after he shared a seven-year-old video showing the governor’s son dancing with his wife. This social media post led to a defamation suit filed by Shamsuddeen under the state penal code. Dr. Ahmad, detained since mid-June, reportedly developed acute malaria in custody and remains critically ill.

Human rights advocates, including the Take-It-Back Movement, echo growing concerns that dissent or criticism tied to the governor’s family can result in legal intimidation or health threats—especially when detainees lack timely bail access. As of late June, Dr. Ahmad remains incarcerated, with his case adjourned to July 2025.

Alleged Money Laundering by Governor’s Son

Meanwhile, activist Omoyele Sowore has exposed that Shamsuddeen may have used roughly 50 distinct bank accounts to funnel state funds through corporate fronts, allegedly in preparation for a senatorial campaign. Following this revelation, Shamsuddeen reportedly disabled comments on his Facebook page, which boasts over 45,000 followers. Sowore asserts that these accounts facilitated money laundering aimed at consolidating political power while stifling critics like Dr. Ahmad.

A History of Contract and Land-Use Controversies

These allegations are not isolated. During his time as Minister of the FCT, Bala Mohammed faced multiple petitions and EFCC investigations for illegal land allocations in Abuja and inflated contracts for his company. Notably, authorities seized private mansions and plots linked to his son. Moreover, opposition groups have accused his Caochi State government of selling public industries and assets—including hotels, factories, and fertilizer plants—below market value to cronies.

Residents in Bauchi have also protested the abandonment of road projects, such as the Shafa Roundabout–Old Airport road, initiated in 2021 with a N4.8 billion budget but stalled for over three years. Meanwhile, earlier asset-recovery panels indicated that previous administrations also diverted public cars and houses into private ownership. Critics contend that similar tactics persist under the current tenure.

Calls for Transparent Investigation

In response, residents have appealed to the EFCC, ICPC, state anti-corruption agencies, and independent media to intervene. They stress that restoring public trust requires bold scrutiny—covering land deals, contract awards, commercial transfers, political arrests, and alleged looting of public resources.

They emphasize: transparent investigation and prosecution, where necessary, may deter future abuse, secure restitution for victims, and reinforce the integrity of Bauchi’s institutions.

Conclusion: A Defining Moment for Bauchi Governance

Governor Bala Mohammed now faces a critical intersection. His administration stands accused of privileging family interests over public welfare—through asset transfers, project neglect, arbitrary evictions, and suppression of dissent. With Dr. Ahmad’s health in jeopardy and public resentment escalating, the need for independent action has become urgent.

Ultimately, how Bauchi responds may set the tone for governance across the region. Citizens and observers alike await whether accountability mechanisms will act decisively—or whether allegations of nepotism and corruption will go unanswered. This moment may well define the next chapter in Bauchi’s political life.