In a heated response, the Bauchi governor warned that continued harassment could trigger escalation.
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has criticised President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government, accusing them of weaponising federal institutions to target opposition figures and implementing new tax reforms that will further impoverish Nigerians and state governments.
Mohammed made the remarks during a public address on Wednesday while reacting to the arraignment of his Commissioner of Finance by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged links to $9.7 million terrorism financing.
On Tuesday, Adamu was also arraigned in court over alleged money laundering offences involving ₦5,791,900,000.
WATCH: Bauchi Governor Says Tinubu Govt Accused Him Of Terrorism For Refusing To Join APC, Warns Tax Reforms Will Impoverish Citizens pic.twitter.com/dDqnilkLR1
— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) December 31, 2025
In a heated response, the Bauchi governor warned that continued harassment could trigger escalation.
Mohammed said, “I woke up to an allegation that I’m being accused of terrorism as a governor, someone leading the opposition. My commissioner is being held and won’t be released by the EFCC."
He claimed his name was included in the filings despite enjoying constitutional immunity as a sitting governor.
“Even with my immunity, my name was recklessly mentioned in a motion in a Nigerian court. Me, Bala Mohammed, referenced without my knowledge. God is wonderful,” he said.
“I don’t have to defend myself in public. But politics has become something else in Nigeria.”
He accused the Federal Government of abandoning its infrastructural and security duties in Bauchi State while attempting to intimidate him for refusing to defect to the ruling APC.
“Whatever anyone does to denounce or persecute you, somehow God brings clarity. With the little resources we have, look at what we’ve achieved in Bauchi, yet they accuse us of arbitrariness,” he said.
“We have a country where 51% of resources is retained by the Federal Government. In my state, they have not constructed even one kilometre of road. They haven’t provided water.
“Even security agencies, I’m the one funding them to work. And they still lecture us. In this country, when you speak, you become a villain. I’ve kept quiet for too long for the sake of peace and security. As politicians, we shouldn’t overheat the polity.
“But I’m not a coward. I’m silent for the common man. We mustn’t abandon the neglected just to gain power. The Federal Government should reassess its tax system. Despite the flaws, they insist on policies that impoverish citizens and sub-nationals.”
He continued, “There is no northern state with better security than Bauchi. That is what we achieved through community effort. We have APC, PDP and NNPP here. We live in peace through democratic governance. Intolerance is too rampant.
“The APC-led Federal Government believes it can use the courts and agencies like the EFCC to prosecute and persecute Nigerians outside their party. If they don’t stop, we may have no choice but to resist. We won’t keep quiet.
“I will not allow anyone to criminalize me because I refuse to join their party. And I will not join their party. My family members and officials have been detained without justification.”