Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has launched a strong verbal attack on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government over the ongoing tax reform policies and the arraignment of his Commissioner for Finance by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged $9.7 million terrorism financing charge.

Speaking during a public engagement, Governor Mohammed expressed outrage over what he described as political persecution, alleging that his administration is being targeted because he is not a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

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“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,” the governor said.

He further accused the Federal Government of neglecting Bauchi State, claiming that no meaningful federal projects have been executed in the state.

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

Governor Mohammed also criticized the Federal Government’s tax reform agenda, arguing that it would worsen the economic hardship faced by Nigerians and sub-national governments.

“I have kept quiet for too long. I’m not a coward. 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 keeping quiet,” he said.

He further alleged that federal agencies are being weaponized against opposition figures.

“The APC-led Federal Government thinks it can use the courts and the EFCC to persecute and prosecute Nigerians who are not in their party. If they don’t stop, we are going to declare war. I will not allow anyone to criminalise me because I am not in the APC. I refuse to join the APC,” he added.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Presidency nor the EFCC has issued an official response to the allegations.