Governor Bala criticises Tinubu, EFCC as commissioner faces terrorism charges

Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the newly introduced tax reform laws and the arraignment of his commissioner for finance by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on alleged terrorism financing charges.

The governor spoke on Wednesday at a press conference in Bauchi, describing the actions of the federal government as politically motivated and aimed at intimidating opposition figures.

Governor Mohammed said he woke up to reports linking his administration to terrorism following the detention of his commissioner for finance by the EFCC over an alleged $9.7 million terrorism financing charge. He expressed concern that his name was mentioned in the suit despite enjoying constitutional immunity as a sitting governor.

“I woke up to an accusation that I am being accused of terrorism. My commissioner of finance is being held by the EFCC, and my name is being mentioned in the suit even though I have immunity,” he said.

The Bauchi governor also accused the federal government of neglecting the state, alleging that no meaningful federal infrastructure projects had been executed in Bauchi.

“They have not done one kilometre of road in Bauchi State. They have not provided water. Even the security agencies—I am the one paying them to work for us—yet they still have the guts to talk,” he stated.

Mohammed said he had remained silent for too long but would no longer do so, stressing that he was not afraid of political pressure or intimidation. He criticised the federal government’s tax reform agenda, arguing that the laws would worsen hardship for ordinary Nigerians and weaken states.

“The federal government should look at its tax system. In spite of all the impurities, they are still going ahead with it to impoverish the common man and the sub-nationals, and we are expected to keep quiet,” he said.