Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has openly rejected any move aimed at pushing him into the All Progressives Congress, APC.
According to him, political alignment must be by choice, not pressure.
The governor spoke on Wednesday at the Government House in Bauchi after assenting to the 2026 Appropriation Bill.
He used the occasion to address national political issues, especially the growing tension between the ruling party and opposition figures.
Governor Mohammed warned that using federal power to intimidate opposition politicians would damage democracy.
He said Nigerians are more concerned about hunger, poverty, and the rising cost of living than political defections.
According to him, the Federal Government should channel its energy into easing the economic hardship faced by citizens. He said attempts to weaken opposition parties would not solve the country’s problems.
The Bauchi governor alleged that anti-corruption agencies were being used to mount pressure on members of opposition parties.
He claimed that investigations and threats were being used as tools to force defections to the APC.
Mohammed stated that the pressure was not limited to politicians alone. He said members of his family and officials within his administration had also come under intense scrutiny, which he described as politically motivated.
He added that such actions were meant to silence critical voices and create fear among those who do not align with the ruling party. He warned that this trend, if unchecked, could undermine democratic freedoms.
The governor also expressed concern over the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. He alleged that the electoral body was being positioned to favour the APC ahead of future elections.
Mohammed said INEC must remain neutral and operate strictly within its constitutional mandate. He stressed that public confidence in elections depends on the commission’s independence and fairness.
Despite the alleged pressure, the governor said he would not compromise his political principles.
He insisted that intimidation, rumours, or propaganda would not make him abandon his beliefs or defect to the ruling party.
“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.
The article was originally published on Politics Nigeria.