Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has vehemently denied any involvement in terrorism-related activities, describing recent allegations against him as politically motivated and unjust.
The Governor made these remarks on Wednesday while receiving an Award of Excellence as a Safety Ambassador from the Safety Institute of Nigeria at the Executive Chambers of the Governor’s Office.
Visibly angered by the ongoing detention of his Finance Commissioner by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Governor Mohammed asserted that the situation represents a clear injustice toward his administration.
“I’ve been an ambassador of safety. I didn’t know it was a significant recognition until the eloquent presenter spoke,” he stated. “I am dedicating this award to the people of Bauchi State, with whom we have collectively earned this honor.”
Reflecting on the allegations, he expressed disbelief: “I was just waking up to the realization that I’ve been accused of terrorism as a Governor. Someone who is the head of the opposition—my Commissioner has been incarcerated and not released by the EFCC. Even with my immunity as Governor, my name was prominently mentioned in a motion in a federal court.”
Governor Mohammed criticized what he described as the misuse of federal institutions for political purposes, particularly targeting opposition figures. “The APC-led federal government thinks it can use the courts and agencies like the EFCC to persecute Nigerians who are not within their party. If they don’t stop, we are going to declare war,” he warned.
He also addressed the newly implemented tax laws, calling on the federal government to reconsider their rollout. “Despite the impurities we’ve noticed in the tax law, they are proceeding with implementation, further impoverishing our people and subnational governments,” he stated.
Governor Mohammed emphasized the achievements of his administration in maintaining peace and security in Bauchi, crediting collaborative efforts across party lines. “We have APC, PDP, and NNPP here. We are living in peace because of democratic governance and mutual tolerance,” he noted.
He concluded by reaffirming his commitment to serving the people of Bauchi with despite the challenges. “This award inspires me to speak up. We will continue to work toward leaving a lasting, positive landmark for Nigeria.”
Before presenting the award, Dr. Haruna Malgwi, a Life Member of the Safety Institute of Nigeria, praised the Governor’s efforts in ensuring public safety, particularly in service delivery areas. “We do not give recognition lightly,” Malgwi stated. “His Excellency has excelled in all criteria and truly deserves this honor.”
