He made these claims during an event on Wednesday where he received an ambassadorial award for safety from the Institute of Safety Professionals in Nigeria.
Governor Mohammed argued that the recent actions of the EFCC targeting officials in his administration are politically motivated, rather than genuine attempts to combat corruption.
The controversy centers on the Bauchi State Finance Commissioner, Adamu, who is accused of collaborating with Ishaku Mohammed Aliyu, the Managing Director of I.S. Makayye Investment Resources Limited, and another individual, Muntaka Duguri, to launder N4.65 billion between June and December 2023. Both Aliyu and Duguri are reportedly currently at large.
The governor is troubled that, despite enjoying constitutional immunity as a sitting governor, his name has been repeatedly invoked in EFCC court motions related to the case against his commissioner. He finds this to be alarming and indicative of political persecution.
"As the head of the opposition, my commissioner has been detained by the EFCC and will not be released," Mohammed stated.
He further expressed distress that his immunity has not shielded him from being mentioned in legal proceedings.
He remarked, “Even with my immunity, my name was exceedingly cited in a court motion: me, Bala Mohammed."
Governor Mohammed expressed shock at being falsely associated with serious allegations, including terrorism, and called the claims outrageous and baseless.
He had initially opted not to speak out publicly to avoid escalating the situation. “I woke up to see a notification accusing me of terrorism.
I don’t have to respond. I don't even need to go to public court. But certainly, politics in Nigeria has taken a troubling turn,” he commented.
While striving to maintain peace, stability, and security, Mohammed warned that the Federal Government's continued actions could compel him to abandon his silence.
He asserted that if the alleged harassment persists, he would no longer remain passive. "If they don’t stop, we will declare war. I assure you, we will not remain silent any longer," he stated.
He emphasized that he would not allow anyone to criminalize him merely for his political stance and refusal to join the ruling party, asserting, “I won’t let anyone portray me as a criminal for not being in their party, and I will not join their party."
In closing, the governor reaffirmed his dedication to his political beliefs, insisting that no amount of pressure or intimidation would drive him to abandon his principles or his role as an opposition leader.
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