We’ll Declare War if Tinubu’s Government Uses EFCC to Force Defection – Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed

Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, has accused the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government of using the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to intimidate, harass, and persecute him and members of his administration over their refusal to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ejes Gist News reports that the Bauchi governor made the allegation on Wednesday at the Government House in Bauchi while receiving an Ambassadorial Award for Safety from the Institute of Safety Professionals in Nigeria.

Mohammed’s remarks came a day after the EFCC arraigned Yakubu Adamu, the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, over alleged N5.79 billion money laundering charges.

‘EFCC Being Used for Political Persecution’

The governor lamented that despite enjoying constitutional immunity as a sitting governor, his name has allegedly been mentioned in EFCC court filings targeting officials of his administration.

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“As a governor and the head of the opposition, my commissioner has been kept and will not be released by the EFCC,” Mohammed said.

“Even when I have immunity as a governor, my name was stupendously mentioned in a motion in a court of law in Nigeria — me, Bala Mohammed.”

He further claimed that he was recently linked to serious allegations without justification.

“I woke up to a notification where I was told I am being accused of terrorism. I don’t have to say anything. I don’t even have to go to the public court. But certainly, politics has become something else in Nigeria,” he stated.

Mohammed accused the APC-led federal government of weaponising state institutions to silence political opponents.

“The APC-led federal government thinks they can use the courts and institutions of government, like the EFCC, to persecute and prosecute Nigerians who are not within their own party,” he said.

Refusal to Join APC

Mohammed, who also serves as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, said he would not succumb to alleged pressure to defect to the ruling APC.

According to him, the prosecution of members of his cabinet is politically motivated and aimed at forcing him into the ruling party.

“I have stayed silent in the interest of peace and security,” the governor said, “but I will not continue to keep quiet if these actions do not stop.”

‘We Will Declare War’

In a strongly worded warning, the Bauchi governor said he would no longer tolerate what he described as attempts to criminalise him for remaining in the opposition.

“If they don’t stop, we are going to declare war. I assure you, we are not going to keep quiet any longer,” Mohammed warned.

“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.”

Claims of Federal Neglect in Bauchi

Mohammed also criticised the federal government for what he described as neglect of Bauchi State, despite controlling substantial national resources.

“In my state, they have not provided one kilometre of road or water,” he said.

“Even the security agencies — I’m the one paying them to work for us — and they still have the guts to talk.”

Tax Law Controversy

The governor further faulted the federal government over its planned implementation of new tax laws, alleging that concerns about alterations in the gazetted copy of the legislation had not been addressed.

He insisted that transparency and fairness must guide governance, especially in matters affecting states and citizens nationwide.

As of the time of filing this report, the Presidency and the EFCC have not officially responded to Governor Mohammed’s allegations.