By Zakariyya Aliyu Gwaram
The Bauchi State Youth Democratic Assembly has dismissed allegations linking Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed and the State Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Hon. Yakubu Adamu, PhD, to the sponsorship of terrorism, describing the claims as baseless and politically motivated.
Speaking at a press conference in Bauchi, the group condemned what it described as an abuse of legal process and the politicisation of anti-corruption institutions, particularly the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), over the arrest, detention and prosecution of the finance commissioner and some senior civil servants of the state.
According to the Assembly, the allegations are part of a coordinated political attack aimed at undermining the administration of Governor Bala Mohammed and destabilising Bauchi State. The group insisted that Hon. Yakubu Adamu and other affected officials committed no offence, stressing that all financial activities of the Bauchi State Government were carried out in line with constitutional provisions, approved procedures and existing financial regulations.
The youth body also reminded authorities that Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) grants immunity to a sitting governor, warning that any attempt to directly or indirectly circumvent this constitutional protection is unlawful.
It further argued that the terrorism-related allegations lack credible evidence, noting that no proof of payment, receipt or documentation has been presented to link the Bauchi State Government to any terrorist activity. The Assembly added that Miyetti Allah has not been proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the Federal Government, making related allegations legally unfounded.
Describing the development as political persecution, the group cautioned the EFCC against actions that could portray it as an instrument of political witch-hunt, blackmail or intimidation, stressing that such perceptions could erode public trust in the agency.
The Assembly reaffirmed the support of the people of Bauchi State for Governor Bala Mohammed, commending his administration for maintaining peace and recording progress in education, healthcare, infrastructure and economic development. It also noted that the governor has never been convicted of any criminal offence and has consistently pursued policies promoting transparency and accountability.
The group called on the EFCC to remove the governor’s name from all charge sheets and urged the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation to urgently review the matter in the interest of justice, fairness and national stability.
The statement was signed by Daure David, for the Speaker of the Bauchi State Youth Democratic Assembly, and Ahmed Abdul, the Majority Leader of the Assembly.