……..By Uzoka Chukwuemeka National secretary Niger Delta Oil and Gas summit in her state of the Nation press conference in Abuja
As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, the political landscape is increasingly shaped by tactics of suppression, state-sponsored intimidation, and the strategic use of anti-corruption agencies. This article investigates the unfolding scenario in Bauchi State, where Governor Bala Mohammed and his administration have come under intense scrutiny and what appears to be a targeted campaign by federal forces. Using the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s recent actions against the Bauchi State Accountant General as a focal point, this study critiques the politicization of justice and the erosion of democratic norms in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.
Democracy or Demonization?
Nigeria’s democratic experiment continues to be marred by a culture of political witch-hunting. In recent months, Bauchi State has become the latest theater for this phenomenon. The sustained pressure on Governor Bala Mohammed a prominent figure in northern politics and a potential game-changer in 2027 raises pressing questions: Is the anti-corruption war being selectively deployed to silence opposition voices? And to what extent is the EFCC acting independently in the face of growing political manipulation?
The Rising Profile of Bala Mohammed
Governor Bala Mohammed has emerged as one of the most progressive governors in northern Nigeria. His administration’s infrastructural drive, youth empowerment schemes, and pro-people policies have elevated his profile nationally. As a former FCT Minister and now a two-term governor, Bala Mohammed is rumored to be considering a higher political office, perhaps even the presidency. This perceived ambition may have put him in the crosshairs of the ruling political establishment.
The EFCC and the Accountant General of Bauchi: The Weaponization of Law
In April 2025, the EFCC arrested the Bauchi State Accountant General on allegations of financial misappropriation. While anti-corruption remains a noble pursuit, the timing, manner, and media dramatization of the arrest raise critical doubts. Observers argue that the move is less about financial transparency and more about crippling the operational machinery of the Bala Mohammed-led administration.
This case is part of a disturbing trend wherein federal institutions are increasingly deployed against political opponents, reminiscent of similar tactics used in the build-up to the 2019 and 2023 elections.
A BroaderStrategy: Intimidation Before 2027
The crackdown on Bauchi’s financial leadership must be understood within the larger context of Nigeria’s pre-2027 political alignment. The ruling party appears to be adopting a preemptive strategy: neutralize all potential threats before the ballot box speaks.
This modus operandi follows a familiar script: initiate investigations, leak details to media houses, create public disillusionment, and use judicial delays to keep accused persons in limbo. It is a blueprint of suppression that has been used repeatedly across Nigeria’s democratic history.
Implications for Federalism and Governance
If unchecked, this politicization of law enforcement undermines the principles of federalism. States must retain the capacity to govern without undue federal interference. The targeting of state officials for political reasons threatens the very fabric of democratic decentralization, which Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution was designed to safeguard.
Furthermore, it erodes trust in institutions like the EFCC, transforming them from anti-corruption watchdogs to attack dogs of the ruling elite.
The Silence of the Opposition and Civil Society
One of the most troubling aspects of the Bauchi situation is the conspicuous silence from major opposition figures and civil society groups. Nigeria’s democratic survival depends on collective resistance to tyranny, regardless of political affiliation. Selective outrage only emboldens the descent into authoritarianism.
Towards 2027 The Need to for Institutional Integrity
As the 2027 elections approach, Nigeria faces a stark choice: allow democracy to flourish or enable its suffocation through weaponized governance. The plot against Bala Mohammed whether actual or perceived must be investigated and publicly debated. More importantly, agencies like the EFCC must be reformed to guarantee impartiality and transparency.
A democracy where opposition figures are criminalized without due process is not a democracy at all it is a democracy in name, dictatorship in function.
