Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has warned that Nigeria risks becoming a one-party state due to the shrinking political space. Speaking through his representative, Mohammed Atiku Isah, at the Democracy Day event organized by the Young Democrats of Nigeria in Kaduna, the governor urged immediate action to preserve democratic plurality.
President Bola Tinubu, during his address to the National Assembly on Thursday, denied any attempt to push Nigeria toward a one-party system. However, Governor Mohammed rejected this claim and stressed the need to protect Nigeria’s democratic space from domination by a single political interest. He highlighted that the true spirit of June 12 lies in embracing unity and diversity.
Marking the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election, Governor Mohammed urged Nigerians to reflect on past democratic struggles and confront present threats. He stated that the opposition currently faces threats, and the trend toward single-party dominance could undermine Nigeria’s democratic foundation of inclusivity, diversity, and competition.
He criticized the federal government’s economic policies, noting that the removal of fuel subsidies, the exchange rate crisis, and rising living costs have worsened the lives of ordinary Nigerians. He accused the government of failing to understand the struggles of the common people and called for a reassessment of its policies.
The governor emphasized that democracy should promote inclusion, economic justice, and shared prosperity, not deepen the divide between government and citizens.
Despite national challenges, Governor Mohammed highlighted progress in Bauchi State, citing the construction of over 1,000 kilometers of roads, renovation and construction of more than 300 schools, and expansion of food production through smart agribusiness initiatives. He also mentioned employing 10,000 graduates and implementing the Kaura Economic Empowerment Programme (KEEP) as signs of inclusive governance.
He concluded by urging Nigerians to remain vigilant and defend democratic values, honoring the legacy of June 12 heroes by safeguarding transparency, accountability, and popular participation in governance.
