Bauchi Needs Governance, Not Distractions, as EFCC Does Its Job -By Yasir Shehu Adam

At a time when Bauchi State is confronted with serious challenges in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic survival, the focus of government must remain firmly on governance. Unfortunately, recent allegations by Governor Bala Mohammed accusing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of political persecution risk diverting attention from the real issues affecting the people.

The EFCC has strongly denied the claims, describing them as wild, far-fetched, and misleading. According to the Commission, it is an independent, non-partisan agency created by law to fight economic and financial crimes without fear or favour. It insists that no political office holder, past or present, has the power to influence its investigations.

Beyond the exchange of accusations, one fundamental truth remains: Bauchi people are more concerned about the quality of leadership they experience daily than political quarrels between powerful actors. Citizens want functional schools, well-equipped hospitals, passable roads, and an economy that offers dignity and opportunity.

The EFCC has also reminded Nigerians that Governor Bala Mohammed was already facing trial over alleged financial crimes before assuming office, and that constitutional immunity—not political interference—halted the process. This raises an important point: accountability is not persecution, and investigation is not a declaration of guilt.

In the current situation involving the Bauchi State Commissioner of Finance, Hon. Yakubu Adamu, PhD, the most responsible approach is to allow the truth to speak for itself through due process. If the commissioner is innocent, the courts will clear him. If there are questions to answer, the law must take its course. That is how democracy works.

Crying persecution whenever public officials are invited to account for their stewardship weakens public trust and undermines institutions meant to protect national integrity. The EFCC has recently prosecuted members of both ruling and opposition parties, showing that accountability should not wear a political colour.

Governor Bala Mohammed owes Bauchi citizens focused leadership, not prolonged political drama. His duty is to govern—improve schools where classrooms are deteriorating, strengthen health facilities where lives depend on timely care, and restore confidence in public institutions.

The EFCC, on its part, must be allowed to carry out its constitutional responsibility without intimidation or politicisation. A society where anti-corruption agencies are constantly discredited for doing their job is a society preparing the ground for deeper injustice.

Bauchi State deserves progress, not distraction. Governance must take precedence over allegations, and service must outweigh self-defence. History will judge leaders not by how loudly they protested investigation, but by how well they served the people entrusted to them.