Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has said he could not sleep for seven days before the Supreme Court judgement that affirmed his reelection.
Mohammed was one of the 8 governors whose election was upheld by the apex court.
Addressing his supporters shortly after a victory rally at the Government House, Bauchi, he said, “My sleepless night was caused by a clique of former leaders of the state who concocted different lies against my person at the Presidency in order to steal my mandate.”
“They told the President that I am a problem and will give them more problems if I remain the Governor. But, to the glory of God, we did everything possible, and we emerged victorious at the end of the day.
“They did everything possible to bring me into a collision course with my friend, the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, as well as Mr President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who loves what we are doing here in the state.”
Mohammed commended President Bola Tinubu for not interfering in the judicial process.
The governor also commended the Supreme Court for doing justice to all the appeals before it, added that the judgement delivered on Friday had redeemed the image of the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.
The governor noted that the focus now was how to get a competent successor.
“Someone who will do better than what we will do in 8 years. We have our children, our members, who can fit appropriately. We will no longer allow strangers to be governors in Bauchi State; only those whose roots are well known from any part of the state.
“My roots are in Bauchi State; my ancestors were traditional rulers, well known across the state. I cannot afford to taint the image built by my ancestors over the years. We will continue to give our best in service to humanity.”
“Now that the final judgement has been delivered, it is the business of governance, working for the department of the state, and the delivery of dividends of democracy. That is our major focus henceforth for the next 4 years.”
