Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed has accused the Federal Government of using the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to intimidate him for refusing to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The governor made the allegation on Wednesday in Bauchi during the signing of the 2026 appropriation bill into law at the Government House.
Mohammed expressed concern over the continued detention of one of his commissioners by the EFCC, describing the action as politically motivated and unfair.
He said that despite his constitutional immunity as a sitting governor, his name was mentioned in a court motion, which he described as disturbing and unprecedented.
According to the governor, the APC-led federal government believes it can deploy state institutions, including the judiciary and anti-corruption agencies, to harass opposition figures.
Mohammed insisted that such actions amount to persecution rather than genuine prosecution and warned that the misuse of public institutions threatens democratic principles.
He therefore maintained that no level of pressure or intimidation would compel him to abandon his political party or align with the APC.