Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, has accused the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of allegedly using the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to harass and intimidate opposition leaders across the country.
Mohammed made the allegation on Wednesday in Bauchi while speaking in an emotional tone after receiving a Safety Ambassador Award from the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON).
The governor claimed that the APC-led Federal Government was abusing state institutions, including the courts and the anti-graft agencies, to harass Nigerians who do not belong to the ruling party.
The APC-led Federal Government think they can use the courts, an institution of government, and the EFCC to pursue and prosecute Nigerians who are not within their party. If they don’t stop, we are going to declare war,” he said.
Mohammed expressed shock over what he described as attempts to link him to terrorism, despite enjoying constitutional immunity as a sitting governor and serving as a leading figure in the opposition.
I am just waking up to an accusation that I am being accused of terrorism as a governor and as someone who is the head of the opposition. Even with my immunity, my name was mentioned in a motion in a court of law in Nigeria. God is wonderful,” he stated.
The governor also criticised the APC-led Federal Government’s performance, alleging that despite huge revenues accruing to it, little had been done in terms of infrastructure development for the people of Bauchi State.
Governor Mohammed said he had remained silent for long in the interest of peace and stability, but warned that he would no longer tolerate what he described as intimidation and political persecution.
“I have kept quiet for too long for peace and security, because as politicians we should not overheat the polity. But I am not a coward.
“I kept quiet because of the common people.
You don’t have to denounce or denigrate people before you can ascend to power,” he added.
The governor vowed not to be coerced into joining the ruling party, insisting that his refusal to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should not make him a target.
“I will not allow anyone to criminalise me because I am not in their party. I refused to join their party and I will not join their party,” Mohammed declared.
He further alleged that members of his family and government officials were being arrested and detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) without evidence of wrongdoing, describing the situation as unacceptable in a democratic society.
“The APC-led Federal Government thinks it can use government agencies like the EFCC to prosecute and persecute Nigerians who are not within their party. If they don’t stop, we are going to declare war. That I can assure you, we are not going to keep quiet anymore,” he said.
The EFCC had recently filed a fresh criminal charge against Yakubu Adamu, the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, and other defendants over alleged terrorism financing involving a total of 9.7 million US dollars.
Earlier on Wednesday, the EFCC arraigned Adamu, together with Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose, and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed.
The four defendants face a ten-count charge involving conspiracy, conversion of public funds, and alleged terrorism financing.
They were brought before Justice Nwite on charges said to contravene Section 2(1) and Section 19(1)(d), and punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
After hearing arguments from both parties, Justice Nwite adjourned the matter to January 2, 2025, for ruling on the bail application and ordered that Adamu be remanded in EFCC custody.
