The Executive Governor of the State of Bauchi, former Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has on Tuesday August 4, 2020 approved the appointment of Balaraba Ibrahim as Special Assistant Unmarried Women Affairs. The news was announced by the Secretary to the State Government, Mohammed Sabiu Baba. He said her appointment is “based on knowledge, experience, and ‘personal qualities’ of hardwork, honesty and absolute loyalty.”

Many Nigerians have reacted to the appointment, expressing their bewilderment. Some have said that it is a mere political gesture, while others opined that the State Governor is making mockery of political administration. Others feel that the Governor is rewarding her with the appointment, to discourage some would-be decampees.

The former Minister for the FCT, has been bedeviled with corruption allegations against himself and members of his family.

The mixed reactions to the appointment of the Special Assistant is understandable, especially if one considers the need to reduce costs of administration at this critical time when funds are so scarce that many state governments have been forced to adopt austerity measures.

Bala was declared winner of the 2019 gubernatorial election, under the auspices of People’s Democratic Party, PDP.