Governor Bala Mohammed has accused President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to use state institutions to target political opponents.

Speaking at a press conference, the Bauchi State governor alleged that the federal government was deploying the courts and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against individuals who are not aligned with the ruling party.

“The APC-led federal government thinks they can use the court and the EFCC to prosecute Nigerians who are not in their party,” Mohammed said.

He warned that continued actions he described as politically motivated could escalate tensions, adding, “If they don’t stop, we are prepared to declare a war. I assure you, we will not keep quiet any longer.”

Mohammed also reaffirmed his decision not to join the APC, stressing that he would resist what he called attempts to criminalise him over his political stance.

“I will not allow anybody to criminalize me because I refuse to join their party,” he added.

The comments come amid heightened political tensions between opposition figures and the federal government, with calls in some quarters for restraint and adherence to democratic norms.