I Am Not A Coward, I Will Not Join APC: Bala Mohammed’s Defiant Stand Against Political Persecution and the Weaponisation of State Power in Nigeria.

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by saharaweeklyng.com

“Governor Bala Mohammed Rejects Coercion, Affirms Loyalty to PDP and Exposes Dangerous Trends Undermining Democratic Pluralism in Nigeria.”

In a political environment increasingly defined by coercion, defections and the alarming weaponisation of state institutions, Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed of Bauchi State has issued a defiant and historic statement that resonates far beyond his state borders: “ _I’m not a coward. I will not join them. I refuse to join their party_.” This declaration, made on January 2, 2026, is not just a personal pledge of political fidelity, but it is a clarion call for democratic integrity and resistance to authoritarian drift in Nigeria’s political landscape.

Bala Mohammed, a seasoned politician with decades of public service as a senator, former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister and three-term Governor of Bauchi State committed under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), spoke with unwavering confidence as he received an award as Safety Ambassador from the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria. His remarks came against the backdrop of allegations that federal agencies, most notably the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), have launched investigations and court actions he alleges are politically motivated and designed to intimidate him into abandoning his party.

An Unapologetic Stand Against Political Intimidation. Governor Mohammed’s posture is rooted in both principle and history. Having navigated multiple national positions (most notably as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory from 2010 to 2015 under President Goodluck Jonathan) Bala Mohammed is no stranger to the ebb and flow of Nigerian politics. Despite this experience, what he faces today is a distinct and troubling pattern: opposition leaders being singled out by powerful federal agencies in ways that blur the lines between legitimate law enforcement and political vendetta.

In his address in Bauchi, he pointed out that even with constitutional immunity as a sitting governor, his name (and that of his commissioner) was referenced in court matters with serious charges including terrorism financing, conspiracy and money laundering. He described these actions as part of an effort to criminalise him and coerce him into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

This, he warned, is beyond mere political rivalry. It represents the weaponisation of state institutions, transforming bodies designed to uphold justice into instruments of political suppression. “The APC-led federal government thinks they can use the courts and institutions of government to persecute Nigerians who are not within their own party,” he said.

Why This Matters: Democratic Principles at Stake. At the heart of Governor Mohammed’s stance is a fundamental democratic principle: a politician should not be forced to change party allegiance under duress. In a healthy democracy, political competition should be decided in the marketplace of ideas and votes not through judicial pressure or law enforcement harassment.

Political scholar Robert Dahl once observed that “Democracy requires not only free and fair elections but also the freedom for opposition to campaign without fear of reprisal.” If this principle erodes, the very essence of pluralism is jeopardised. Bala Mohammed’s words underscore the urgency of this truth in Nigeria’s context.

Moreover, political analyst Professor Claude Ake of Nigerian political thought emphasised that “Democracy is not merely electoral competition; it is about the rules (and respect for those rules) that allow such competition.” When state institutions appear to serve one party’s ends, the legitimacy of Nigeria’s democratic order is tested. Bala Mohammed’s charge challenges Nigerians to ask whether their political institutions serve citizens equally or whether they have become tools for partisan advantage.

Allegations of Federal Abdication of Responsibility. Governor Mohammed did not limit himself to critiquing political pressure tactics. He also lambasted what he described as a failure of the federal government to deliver tangible development to Bauchi State, despite commanding a significant share of national resources. “In my state, they have not provided one kilometre of road. They have not provided water. Even security agencies (I am the one paying them to work for us) and they have the guts to talk,” he lamented.

This accusation strikes at two core issues plaguing Nigeria’s federal system: resource control imbalances and the insufficient delivery of basic infrastructure and security. Many governors, especially in opposition states, have long argued that federal allocation disparities weaken subnational governments and create dependency that can be exploited politically.

The governor further criticised the current tax regime, warning that policies implemented without adequate consideration of grassroots realities risk deepening poverty rather than alleviating it. This echoes concerns of economists like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who have warned that fiscal policies must be balanced with economic growth and citizens’ welfare to avoid crippling the productive capacities of subnational units.

Resistance, Not Retreat. Perhaps the most compelling dimension of Governor Mohammed’s speech was his rejection of silence in the face of what he describes as political intimidation. He affirmed that peace and security do not require submission to coercion. “IF THEY WANT WAR, WE WILL GIVE THEM WAR. IF THEY WANT PEACE, WE WILL GIVE THEM PEACE,” he declared an underscoring and a commitment to resist victimisation while upholding order.

This posture (resolute yet rooted in democratic engagement) is reminiscent of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.’s call to “stand up for justice, even if it means standing alone.” Bala Mohammed’s insistence on accountability, transparency and continued cooperation with the federal government for national development separates principled opposition from antagonistic defiance.

The Broader Political Context. Governor Mohammed’s remarks arrive amid a broader wave of political defection in Nigeria. In 2025, several governors and political figures left the PDP for the APC, driven by various motives and some ideological, others pragmatic. Yet Bala Mohammed has firmly resisted such trends. Two months before his recent stand, he reassured party faithful that he was not defecting and remained committed to the PDP’s vision, even as other governors departed.

His position also underscores a larger debate within Nigeria’s opposition ranks: how to rebuild a viable political alternative capable of challenging the APC’s dominance and presenting credible governance propositions for the 2027 general elections. As he declared earlier in 2025, defections would not sink the PDP and the party could reclaim political space with strategic leadership and grassroots engagement.

Final Take: A Defining Moment for Nigerian Democracy. Governor Bala Mohammed’s statement (“I AM NOT A COWARD. I WILL NOT JOIN APC”) is far more than a personal declaration. It is a reaffirmation of democratic choice, political courage and resistance to the misuse of power. In a climate where political coercion can easily be mischaracterised as loyalty shifts, his defiance becomes an emblem of democratic resilience.

For Nigeria to deepen its democratic culture, leaders across the spectrum must respect institutional neutrality and allow political competition to be resolved through public engagement, policy debates, and the will of the electorate, not through intimidation or judicial warfare.

As political theorist Samuel P. Huntington once remarked, “The essence of democracy is competition between alternatives.” Bala Mohammed’s bold stance exemplifies this essence and challenges all Nigerians (politicians and citizens alike) to hold fast to the ideals of free political choice, accountability and constitutional governance.