Bauchi Govt Denies Fake Scholarship Board Suspension Claim, Orders Probe

By Khalid Idris Doya

Bauchi, Nigeria - The Bauchi State Government has denied what it described as a fake and mischievous press release currently circulating on social media platforms. The release falsely claimed that Governor Bala Mohammed had suspended the leadership of the Bauchi State Scholarship Board over alleged failure to disburse the 2024/2025 scholarship funds.

The state government said the fake release also falsely claimed that a special committee has been constituted to urgently look into the matter. Describing the document as baseless, fabricated, and a product of malice, the state government said it was the handwork of enemies of progress bent on discrediting the smooth and transparent administration of Governor Bala Mohammed.

In an official statement issued by Mukhtar Gidado, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the state Governor, it was categorically stated that at no time did the Governor order the suspension of any official of the Bauchi State Scholarship Board, nor has any committee been constituted to investigate the Board's operations as alleged. "Furthermore, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Governor, whose name and designation were criminally inserted as the signatory of the fake release, has not issued nor authorized such a statement," Gidado said.

"This is a clear case of identity impersonation aimed at misleading the public and tarnishing the image of both the office of the Special Adviser and the administration of Governor Bala Mohammed," Gidado cried out. The state government urged the general public, the media, and stakeholders in the education sector to disregard the fake release in its entirety.

Gidado added that the Bauchi State Government remains committed to the welfare of its students and has been consistently working to improve scholarship access and educational support across the state. "In line with the administration's principle of transparency and accountability, any official communication from the Bauchi State Government will be duly signed and disseminated through official and verifiable channels," the statement noted.

The state government also directed security agencies to investigate the source of the fake document and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book to serve as a deterrent to others who may be contemplating such fraudulent acts.