Bauchi State Governor, Sen Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad Kamran Bauchi, has declared that his administration will not tolerate any form of favouritism or discrimination, real or perceived, but will continue to build on relationships irrespective of tribal geography.
The Governor was speaking during the annual Christmas rally and homage to the Government House by the Christian community led by the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Bauchi chapter.
Senator Bala stressed that Bauchi State under his watch has continued to enjoy peaceful coexistence leading to the various achievements recorded in terms of development and progress.
He stressed that, “You are present here today at this very special moment of Christmas celebration. And happiness and reflection fills my heart with gratitude and hope. It is a powerful reminder of who we are as a people and what we stand for at this stage.”
According to him, “Since our swearing-in into office in 2019, our administration has been guided by a simple but profound belief that every decision of what to take belongs fully, equally and without qualification. Through deliberate policies and consistent actions, we have marked splendid religious freedom, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence between our predominantly Muslim population and our modest Christian minority.”
According to him,”Today, people celebrate across Nigeria and beyond, Bauchi State as a model of harmony and rightly so. Our peace is not accidental. It is rooted in our culture, our values, and our life realities. A multi religious community. It is not uncommon to find brothers and sisters, parents and children practicing different religions under the same roof.”
He stressed that,”We are bound together by love, respect, and shared destiny. This is our strength. This is the last message, and this is our heritage. We meet in solidarity, communal participation and mutual understanding.”
According to him, “It is the simple principle we have defined in our governance, which informs our appointments, our policies, and our programmes. We build trust, we build unity, and bring progress, and it unleashes the full potential of our cherished diversity.”
The Governor added that,”While recently, we have embarked on an exercise that have sought to meet the people’s expectations for their representation and self-actualisation. We have created new Emirates and a Chiefdom, and a system that meet people’s expectations.”
“And that is today, I am proud to say with all humility, that we have been able to replace our cherished achievements of social foundation and actualization with all humility. The government will not only be satisfied with the political promise, but with deep local governance and self-actual identity, and strengthen the integral role of traditional institutions as custodians of peace, unity, and development,”he added.
Bala Muhammad stressed that,
“Accordingly, traditional institutions in Bauchi states are some of the pillars of communal cohesion and progress, and such their functions through new administrative units will consolidate this with the networks, foster inclusivity, and empower more communities to participate meaningfully in governance with their heads high and with dignity.”
He added that,”Indeed, both recognize the diversity. We have many peoples, many cultures, many faiths, and yet one faith, one family, and one future. We are the future, to be the most advanced state in the country, and yet we are together and bounded by one common law.”
The Governor further stated that,
“Our mission is for middle humanity to survive the essential of innovation, resilience, and shared prosperity, justice, fairness, and compassion, and the feeling of peaceful coexistence anywhere in the world, where people build, think hard, and face the work with dignity, with rights, where equity guides leadership, progress follows.”
According to him,”This truth is as relevant globally as it is here in Bauchi State, our home. Christmas, while dedicated to our Christian brothers and sisters, carries values that resonate deeply with all of us, because it brings love, generosity, compassion, and hope. These are universal values shared by Christianity and Islam alike.”
He stressed that,”In both our traditions and culture, our traditions reflect the shared humanity. When it is Eid, we celebrate together, and you will see our Christian folks in front of the traditional rulers, dancing and merry-making, even though they are Muslims.”
Senator Bala added that,”And that is why we have to reciprocate as Muslims by showing our appreciation with them when they are celebrating Christmas. And when it is Christmas, we celebrate together, and that is why we are there today. Our joy is quality, our destiny is shared.”
“The Christian community was so instrumental to my ascension to leadership, as well as to our Muslim brothers and sisters, your votes, your prayers, your trust imposed on me the solemn obligation, a burden, to govern with justice and equity, to ensure fairness in political appointments, and to distribute projects and programmes in ways that will benefit across the community with justice and fairness,” he stressed.
Muhammad then declared,”Let me say this from the depth of my heart, I love you as much as you love me, my brothers, and I will do everything within my power to protect every resident of Bauchi State, regardless of religion, tribe, or background. Your safety, dignity, and prosperity are my sacred responsibility. I want to see everybody happy, because I don’t have the luxury of discriminating against anybody.”
According to him,”You love me so much, and I don’t know what to do to reciprocate this love. I don’t think I have really reciprocated, even though out of modesty, you are showing that I have done that. I feel I am not doing enough. May Allah give me the opportunity to do more.”
The Governor added,”I also want to express my profound appreciation to our Muslim community and leaders for the demonstration to the world that the two greats of Ibrahimic faith cannot only coexist, but can unite constructively and purposefully with the development of Bauchi State, the progress of Nigeria, and the good of humanity.”
He stressed that,”Even the true friends within the Christian community, they have marched together because they have come together so much during my leadership. I don’t take this for granted. I thank you most especially for that.”
“And placing a volume that I talked about our commitment to religious freedom and liberty. The Bauchi State government has funded over 3600 Christians for the 2025 pilgrimage. Tomorrow Monday they will be leaving for Jerusalem,” he added.
The Governor added, “I ask you to work with the President of Nigeria and to pray that we eventually have peace, unity and progress of our nation. As we celebrate this season, let us recommit ourselves to the values that define us. Love over hatred, oneness over division, service over self, and unity over discord.”
According to him,”I call on all Nigerians to follow the models of my Bauchi example of fortitude, an example that has brought peace, accelerated development, and strengthened social cohesion through the fear of God and mutual respect.”
Speaking CAN leadership of the Bauchi State chapter applauded State Governor, Sen Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad for responding to the needs of the Christian community and promoting religious harmony across the state.
The delegation was led by the State CAN Chairman, Reverend Dr. Abraham Damina Dimeus, represented by the Secretary, Reverend Matthew Wakili, alongside other senior Christian leaders during a Christmas homage and courtesy visit to the Governor at the Government House, Bauchi.
The CAN leadership expressed gratitude to the Governor for the Christmas goodwill extended to Christians across the state, describing the gesture as a symbol of unity, compassion, and shared belonging among the people of Bauchi State.
They also praised the Governor’s commitment to peace and security, noting that Bauchi State remains peaceful, allowing Christians to worship freely without fear, intimidation, or discrimination.
The Association further lauded the administration for its support to Christian infrastructure, including the provision of a befitting Secretariat, new Christian cemetery, Church projects, and efforts toward the completion and commissioning of key religious facilities.
The CAN Chairman, praised the Governor’s leadership style, describing it as inclusive and reassuring and affirmed that Christians in Bauchi State enjoy freedom of worship in a secure environment, enabling them to practice their faith without hindrance.
Abraham Dimeus also acknowledged government interventions that have positively impacted Christian communities, including seasonal support, infrastructural development, and the inclusion of Christians in governance.
He noted that such policies have reinforced trust and demonstrated the administration’s genuine commitment to unity and social justice.
Meanwhile in a related development Bauchi state government has purchased and distributed Christmas gifts worth over ₦540 million Naira to christian faithfuls in the state.
The Standing Committee chairman for the distribution of Christmas gifts, Mr. Abdon Dalla-Gin stated this while briefing newsmen explained that the food items purchased and distributed to the christian community include 171 bulls, 222 rams, 3,462 bags of 50-kilogramme rice, and 504 cartons of 25-litre groundnut oil.
Mr. Gin said the beneficiaries include the five blocs of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), senior Christian leaders, religious organizations, and less-privileged groups across Bauchi State.
Mr. Gin who is the Special Adviser to Governor Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad on Christian Affairs, commended the Governor for the gesture, describing it as a sign of inclusive governance
All other Christian appointees and elected representatives who took turns to speak, commended the foresight of the Governor in ensuring that Christians in the State were not in anyway marginalized.
Various Christian groups used the occasion to appreciate the Governor, Sen Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad, by presenting different awards to him for good governance
