Haruna Mohammed Salisu, the publisher of WikkiTimes, has criticized Bauchi State Governor, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, for allegedly targeting a prominent Islamic scholar, Dr. Idris Abdul’aziz Dutsen Tanshi, in retaliation for his criticisms of the governor’s policies. This, he noted, contrasts sharply with the governor’s vocal critiques of President Bola Tinubu’s administration,Wikkitimes reports.
According to WikkiTimes, Governor Mohammed ordered the arrest and imprisonment of Dr. Dutsen Tanshi, citing his persistent criticism of the governor’s handling of state affairs. Speaking in a live Facebook broadcast, Salisu, now based in the United States, accused the governor of being intolerant of constructive criticism despite his own outspoken disapproval of federal policies.
Salisu argued that while Governor Mohammed’s critiques of President Tinubu’s policies could be seen as healthy for democracy, his intolerance toward dissenting voices within Bauchi State undermines his democratic credibility. He emphasized that if the governor expects to be taken seriously in his criticism of the President, he must equally be open to constructive feedback on his own governance.
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“The governor’s criticism of the President is commendable, but he should demonstrate the same tolerance for constructive criticism in Bauchi State,” Salisu said. He questioned why the governor, who claims his critiques are motivated by a desire to improve citizens’ welfare, would resort to silencing a scholar for raising concerns about his administration’s shortcomings.
Salisu highlighted the case of Dr. Dutsen Tanshi, describing his imprisonment as a targeted act meant to stifle dissent. “The scholar’s only ‘crime’ was calling on the government to address pressing issues, much like the governor himself does when criticizing President Tinubu,” he said.
He accused Governor Mohammed of leveraging state institutions, including the Shariah Commission and other clerics, to intimidate and silence Dr. Dutsen Tanshi rather than engaging with the concerns he raised about policies causing hardship for Bauchi citizens.
While Salisu praised the governor’s boldness in holding the federal government accountable, he urged him to extend the same democratic principles to his administration. “The governor is correct that many federal policies are failing and increasing poverty, but he should also allow open dialogue about his administration’s policies in Bauchi,” Salisu added.
Salisu expressed hope that more leaders would join Governor Mohammed in constructively critiquing national policies but emphasized the need for such criticism to be a two-way street. “Democracy thrives on accountability, and this applies both at the federal and state levels,” he concluded.
