Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has warned the Federal Government against what he described as attempts to intimidate opposition politicians into joining the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Speaking shortly after signing the 2026 Appropriation Bill into law at the Government House in Bauchi on Wednesday, the governor urged the APC-led Federal Government to focus on addressing poverty and the rising cost of living confronting Nigerians rather than using state power to weaken opposition parties.
Governor Mohammed accused the Federal Government of deploying anti-corruption agencies to harass and threaten members of opposition parties in a bid to coerce them into defecting to the ruling party.
He said the pressure had not spared him, his family, and officials of his administration, describing the situation as a deliberate attempt to silence dissenting voices in the country.
The governor also raised concerns over the conduct of the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, alleging that the Commission was being positioned to serve the interests of the APC rather than operate as an impartial umpire as provided by the Constitution.
Mohammed stressed that no amount of intimidation, rumours or propaganda would force him to abandon his political beliefs or defect to the APC.
“I will continue to stand for justice, fairness and the welfare of Nigerians, and remain committed to the development and progress of Bauchi State,” the governor said.
