Abubakar may get Bauchi’s ministerial slot

Outgoing Governor Mohammad Abubakar has been tipped to be the next minister from Bauchi State, the Nation has learnt.

The national leadership of the All Progressive Congress (APC) might be hatching a plan B if things fall apart and the governor loses again at the Election Petition Tribunal.

An APC chieftain in Bauchi State, who spoke in confidence with the Nation Correspondent, said: “It is natural that the Governor is compensated with a ministerial appointment having worked hard for the party in the state and singlehandedly facing formidable forces in the Peoples Democratic Party in the State.”

The source dismissed any chances of the PDP in the state producing a minister from Bauchi state, saying they stand no chance considering the hard times they gave the governor.

“PDP cannot produce a minister from Bauchi state. They gave the governor a tough time in the state. The governor will face no challenge if speculation turns out positive.

“Even the Speaker, Federal House of Representatives cannot influence a minister from the PDP considering his position as an opposition member and he is also not in good terms with the President

“Stakeholders have been urging the President to give governor Abubakar a ministerial appointment and the governor has not come out to say he is not interested.”

The source added: “There has been no negative response from him considering the call for him to be made a minister. We can take it that he is ready to serve as minister”

When asked if the governor already lost all hope of reclaiming his mandate, the source said: “Having congratulated the governor -elect in the state, the governor initially has no motive of challenging the PDP’s victory at the court but having briefed the party hierarchy, they had taken it upon themselves to challenge the victory of PDP.”