Bauchi State Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of persecuting him and his aides because he has refused to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Governor Mohammed, who is also Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, made the allegation during the signing of the 2026 appropriation bill in Bauchi. He said the APC‑led Federal Government is allegedly using state institutions such as the EFCC and the courts to harass and prosecute political opponents.
The governor specifically claimed that his Commissioner for Finance remains in EFCC custody despite his constitutional immunity as a sitting governor, and that his own name has been mentioned in legal motions linked to the case. Mohammed described these actions as politically motivated.
Reacting to the situation, he said he would not allow anyone to criminalise him for refusing to join the APC and reaffirmed his commitment to remaining in the PDP. “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,” the governor stated.
Governor Mohammed further criticised the Federal Government for what he described as poor delivery on federal responsibilities in Bauchi State, claiming that despite controlling a majority of national resources, the federal authorities had failed to provide basic infrastructure such as roads and water.
The EFCC has been prosecuting several Bauchi State officials on alleged financial and terrorism‑related charges, including a case involving a $9.7 million terrorism financing allegation linked to some state government officials.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has publicly denied any plan to unlawfully arrest, detain, or prosecute opposition politicians, reaffirming its commitment to the rule of law and dismissing claims of targeted political persecution as unfounded.
As of reporting, the EFCC and the Federal Government have not formally commented on Governor Mohammed’s specific allegations.
