By Usman Abdullahi Koli

In February 1976, the late Maj. Gen. Murtala Mohammed created Bauchi State and others. This statehood has translated into economic development, prosperity, advancement, rural development, and robust involvement in political participation. Apart from government institutions and international development contributions, there are individuals whose enormous contributions cannot go unmentioned while marking the 50 years of resilience and steadfastness.

These individuals, perhaps self-made, state actors, or business owners, have silent impacts on the lives of the good people of the pearl of tourism – Bauchi State.
The 50th anniversary of Bauchi State prompted this reflection. Bauchi, now standing at 50 years of statehood and reflecting on its journey, is in such a moment.

In a state long accustomed to loud influence, visible authority, and inherited prominence, a different language has begun to speak to the people: a language of presence, empathy, and deliberate service. It is in this context that the name Bala Maijama’a Wunti has moved from being known to being felt, from being mentioned to being discussed, and from being discussed to being quietly measured by the people themselves.

Bauchi has never lacked accomplished sons. Over the last five decades, the state has produced intellectuals of national repute, technocrats and administrators who have held high offices, businessmen who built empires, and political figures who shaped eras. Their contributions are part of the state’s history and must be acknowledged with fairness. Yet history also teaches that influence alone does not automatically translate into emotional legitimacy. What separates memory from movement is not status, but touch. In recent years, as economic pressures deepened, social safety nets weakened, and ordinary people found themselves navigating hardship with little assurance, the public began to pay closer attention to those who showed up without compulsion and without spectacle.

This is where Bala Wunti’s engagement with his people began to attract genuine notice: not as a political statement and not as a campaign gesture, but as a consistent pattern of human response. Through the Wunti Alkhair Foundation and through personal interventions that deliberately avoided publicity, his work entered communities quietly and stayed there. Support for basic needs, access to healthcare, educational assistance, empowerment initiatives for women and youth, and direct relief to families in distress were not framed as charity, but as responsibility. The beneficiaries were not treated as statistics or backdrops, but as neighbours whose dignity mattered.

What distinguishes these gestures is not merely their scale, but their texture. They are not transactional. They do not demand loyalty. They do not come with conditions. In a political environment where assistance is often timed, branded, and weaponised, this difference is not lost on the people. Markets talk. Mosques talk. Families talk. And the conversations are not about power or ambition, but about someone who listens, someone who responds, someone whose doors remain open long after the cameras are gone.

Equally significant is the manner of engagement. Bala Wunti does not approach the people of Bauchi from above. His interactions reflect familiarity without arrogance and confidence without distance. He attends to elders with respect, engages youth without condescension, and supports women without patronage. This posture matters in a state whose social fabric is deeply sensitive to sincerity. Bauchi, at fifty, is more self-aware, more reflective, and less impressed by performance than it once was. It is a place where people can forgive mistakes, but rarely forgive pretence. What they are responding to now is the absence of performance and the presence of intent.

It is important to state clearly that this moment is not about erasing the contributions of others. Bauchi’s progress over five decades has always been cumulative, built by many hands across generations. But within every period, a particular figure often emerges who captures the emotional mood of the people, not because they asked for attention, but because the moment found them prepared. The growing public interest in Bala Wunti reflects less personal ambition and more collective curiosity. People are asking questions. They are observing patterns. They are weighing consistency against history.

There is also a broader undercurrent shaping this reception. Across Nigeria, citizens are increasingly skeptical of loud promises and symbolic leadership. The public mood has shifted toward practical compassion and visible impact. In Bauchi, where communal bonds remain strong and hardship is widely shared, and where fifty years of experience have sharpened public judgment, humanitarian action carries political meaning even when it is not framed as politics. It signals values. It suggests priorities. It offers a glimpse into how power might be exercised differently.

This is why discussions around Bala Wunti now extend beyond admiration into contemplation. Not because he has declared anything, and not because he has positioned himself aggressively, but because people are projecting questions onto a figure whose actions feel grounded. They are asking what leadership anchored in empathy might look like. They are imagining governance that begins with listening. They are wondering whether kindness, when sustained and structured, can become a serious instrument of public good.

History shows that societies rarely announce turning points in advance. They reveal them gradually, through shifting conversations and changing expectations. As Bauchi marks fifty years of existence and quietly assesses what it has been and what it hopes to become, what is unfolding today may or may not crystallize into a defined political chapter, but its significance should not be dismissed. It reflects a hunger for leadership that understands pain before power and service before status. In that sense, the rising attention around Bala Maijama’a Wunti is less about the man and more about the mirror he holds up to the aspirations of the people.

When kindness becomes consistent, it stops being charity and starts becoming character. And when character aligns with public need, societies take notice. Bauchi is listening now, not because it is being persuaded, but because it recognizes something familiar and long missed.

Usman Abdullahi Koli,
mernoukoli@gmail.com.

Sponsored by Arc. Ya’u Usman Darazo.

By Muhammad Yakubu Lele, Dramaturu

In a surprising political development, Hon. Saidu Hassan Jakusko, a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Yobe State, has tendered his resignation from the party, citing dissatisfaction with the lack of recognition and support for his contributions.

Jakusko, who served as the Director-General of the APC Youth Awareness Council for Mai Mala Buni during the 2019 gubernatorial campaign, announced his decision in a detailed resignation letter made available to journalists. He expressed disappointment over what he described as years of unreciprocated loyalty and sacrifice for the party.

A Legacy of Dedication

Jakusko recounted his active role in securing the victory of Governor Mai Mala Buni in 2019, emphasizing the sacrifices he and his team made during the rigorous campaign. “We worked tirelessly, investing our time, resources, and energy to secure the victory of Hon. Mai Mala Buni,” he wrote. However, he lamented that his efforts were not acknowledged by the government over the past four years.

Despite this, Jakusko remained loyal to the APC, doubling down on his commitment during the 2023 general elections. He claimed to have facilitated the defection of approximately 600 individuals from opposition parties, including the PDP, APGA, AC, and Labour Party, into the APC.

Alleged Neglect and Unfulfilled Expectations

Jakusko alleged that despite his significant contributions to the party, no tangible support or recognition was extended to him or his constituency. “These decampees were presented to the party leadership, including the APC chairman and other top officials,” he noted, yet his efforts failed to yield the expected acknowledgment or assistance.

The perceived neglect appears to have been the final straw, compelling Jakusko to step away from the party he once served with unwavering dedication.

Appreciation and Forward-Looking Vision

In his resignation letter, Jakusko expressed gratitude to the APC leadership and members in Yobe State for their collaboration over the years. He reaffirmed his commitment to the principles of democracy and the development of his community, even as he embarks on a new political path.

Jakusko’s resignation marks a significant moment for the APC in Yobe State, given his influential role and the political capital he has built over the years. His departure raises questions about internal dynamics within the party and could signal potential challenges in retaining grassroots loyalty.

Implications for Yobe APC

Political analysts suggest that Jakusko’s exit could weaken the APC’s grassroots mobilization efforts in Yobe State, particularly given his history of rallying support across political divides. The move also underscores broader issues of internal dissatisfaction that the APC may need to address to maintain cohesion ahead of future elections.

As Hon. Saidu Hassan Jakusko moves on, the political landscape in Yobe State is set for a potential shift, with both his supporters and critics closely watching his next moves. For now, the APC leadership in the state has yet to issue a formal response to his resignation.

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has voiced strong opposition to the controversial tax reform bill recently presented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the National Assembly. The organization raised concerns over several provisions in the bill, calling for a thorough review before it is passed into law.

At a town hall meeting held on January 6, 2025, at Gombe State University, Comrade Jamilu Charanchi, the National Coordinator of CNG, outlined the contentious aspects of the bill and urged the Federal Government to provide Nigerians with a clear report on the outcomes of the fuel subsidy removal, as well as a transparent account of how the savings have been utilized.

Speaking at the event, Professor Abubakar Sadiq from the Federal University of Kashere echoed similar concerns, criticizing the government for pushing forward with the bill despite significant opposition from across the country. He stressed that the proposed tax reforms could place undue pressure on Nigerians already facing economic challenges.

The meeting, themed “Tax Reform: A Catalyst for Economic Growth or a Burden on Nigerians,” drew significant participation from civil society organizations and regional representatives. An overwhelming 99% of attendees expressed their opposition to the bill, highlighting widespread dissatisfaction among the public.

Comrade Muhammad Usman Deba, the CNG’s Coordinator for Gombe State, further emphasized the potential negative impact of the tax reform on Northern states. Deba noted that while the bill aims to boost national revenue, it risks disproportionately benefiting Southern states, particularly those with higher economic activities, such as Lagos. This imbalance could reduce the revenue shares allocated to Northern states, exacerbating existing economic disparities and potentially leading to migration and social unrest.

Deba also criticized the lack of data-driven policymaking and transparency, urging the government to provide solid evidence supporting the proposed changes. He called for a more inclusive approach, with a transparent and equitable revenue-sharing formula that involves consultations with stakeholders from all regions.

The CNG concluded by urging the Nigerian Senate to halt deliberations on the bill and engage in more consultations to ensure the reform promotes national unity and balanced development. They emphasized the need for a fair tax system that ensures no region is marginalized in the pursuit of economic growth.