Bala Mohammed petitions senate, claims Bauchi air force list dominated by non-indigenes

The senate on Tuesday commenced legislative action over the alleged listing of non-indigenes as Bauchi indigenes in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) basic military training programme.

Abdul Ningi, senator representing Bauchi central, submitted a petition written by Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi, during plenary.

Mohammed said the inclusion of non-indigenes as Bauchi applicants in the recruitment exercise was a source of concern and against the interest of the state.

“This is to bring to the attention of the senate a matter of grave concern on the inclusion of non-indigenes as indigenes of Bauchi state in the Nigerian Air Force basic military training course,” he said.

“It is imperative, Mr. President, to note, that the interests of Bauchi state has been so shortchanged, so marginalised.”

After the petition was read and laid before the senate, Godswill Akpabio, senate president, referred it to the committee on ethics, code of conduct and public petitions, and the committee on air force for further investigation.

“The petition will be argued at the committee’s level,” Akpabio said.

He mandated the committees to act on the petition and report back to plenary within seven days.