In a bold declaration that sets the tone for the political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, has firmly stated that he will not defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The governor made this announcement while alleging a campaign of political intimidation orchestrated by federal institutions against him and his administration.
Governor Alleges EFCC Used for Political Persecution
Speaking on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at the Government House in Bauchi, Governor Mohammed received an ambassadorial award for safety from the Institute of Safety Professionals in Nigeria. He used the occasion to voice serious allegations against the APC-led Federal Government.
The governor, who also chairs the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, claimed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been deployed as a tool to harass and intimidate political opponents. He cited the detention of his Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, as a prime example, stating the official "has been kept and will not be released by the EFCC."
Mohammed expressed dismay that even his own name was mentioned in a court motion despite his constitutional immunity as a sitting governor. "Me, Bala Mohammed," he emphasized, highlighting the personal nature of the alleged targeting.
A Stand Against Coercion and Federal Neglect
Governor Mohammed insisted that he would not be coerced into joining the ruling party through such tactics. "I won’t allow anybody to criminalise me because I’m not in their party, and I refuse to join their party, and I will not join their party," he declared unequivocally.
He warned that his silence until now had been in the interest of peace and stability but indicated that his patience was wearing thin. "If they don’t stop, we are going to declare war. I assure you we are not going to keep quiet any longer," the governor stated, signaling a potential escalation in political tensions.
Beyond the allegations of persecution, Governor Mohammed launched a scathing criticism of what he described as the federal neglect of Bauchi State. He accused the Federal Government of failing to provide basic infrastructure despite controlling national resources.
"In my state, they have not provided one kilometre of road. You have not provided water. Even the security agencies, I’m the one paying them to work for us, and they have the guts to talk," he lamented.
Broader Concerns: Tax Policies and Poverty
The governor also raised an alarm about the nation's fiscal policies, arguing that the current tax system could plunge more citizens into poverty if not urgently reviewed. This comment adds an economic dimension to his primarily political grievances, framing the struggle within a broader context of governance and public welfare.
His statements come against the backdrop of reports that the EFCC has filed fresh criminal charges against Commissioner Yakubu Adamu and others. The charges are related to alleged terrorism financing involving approximately $9.7 million.
In a separate but related development, the governor's administration recently dismissed a teacher, Emos Joshua, a Principal Assistant Education Officer at Government College, Azare. The dismissal, confirmed by the Bauchi State Civil Service Commission, was over allegations of sexual harassment.
Governor Bala Mohammed's firm stance and detailed accusations mark a significant moment in Nigeria's opposition politics. It underscores the deepening rift between the PDP-led state government in Bauchi and the APC-controlled federal center, setting a contentious stage for the political battles leading up to 2027.
