Bala Mohammed denies terrorism allegations

Bauchi State Governor, Sen. Bala Mohammed, has denied any involvement in terrorism, describing claims linking him to terrorist activities as “shocking and absurd.”

Speaking on Wednesday at the Executive Chambers of the Government House, Bauchi, while receiving an Award of Excellence as a Safety Ambassador from the Safety Institute of Nigeria, the governor said he has “nothing to do with terrorism” and will never condone criminality.

“I was shocked to hear that I have been accused of terrorism as a sitting governor. I am not a terrorist, I have nothing to do with terrorism, and I will never condone criminality of any kind,” he stated.

Mohammed called the allegations ironic, highlighting his long-standing efforts to promote peace, security, and community development in Bauchi State. “This award belongs to the people of Bauchi State. Together, we worked for peace and security, and together we earned this recognition,” he added.

The governor also expressed concern over the ongoing detention of his Commissioner for Finance by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), describing it as part of a broader pattern of political persecution.

“Despite my constitutional immunity as a governor, my name was mentioned in a motion before a court of law, while my commissioner remains incarcerated. These are troubling developments in a democratic society,” he said.

Mohammed lamented the shrinking space for tolerance in Nigeria’s political environment, warning against the criminalisation of political differences. “Politics has become something else in this country. You don’t have to denigrate people or label them criminals simply because they belong to the opposition or refuse to join the ruling party,” he added.

He said he has remained silent in the interest of peace and stability but cautioned that silence should not be mistaken for weakness. “I have kept quiet for the sake of peace and security and for the common people, but I am not a coward,” the governor stated.

Mohammed also criticised the Federal Government’s fiscal policies, particularly the implementation of the new tax law, which he said would further impoverish Nigerians and weaken state governments.

He further emphasised that Bauchi State remains one of the most peaceful states in the North, attributing this to inclusive governance and cooperation across party lines. “We have APC, PDP and NNPP in Bauchi, and we are living together in peace. That is democracy. That is tolerance,” he said.