We’ll not undermine federal authority — Gov Bala

Bauchi Governor, Sen. Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has said his administration will not undermine the authority of the Federal Government, particularly in matters of security, despite being part of the opposition.

The governor made the declaration on Monday while chairing an expanded State Security Council meeting at the Executive Chambers of the Government House, Bauchi.

“We are federalists. We believe in the authority of the Federal Government, irrespective of our position as opposition. We cannot work without recognising that authority,” Bala Mohammed said.

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Addressing heads of security agencies and traditional rulers, the governor stressed that security agencies remain central to governance and called for closer coordination with traditional institutions at the grassroots.

“Without security, there is no governance. Security agencies must work closely with our traditional rulers and local authorities to ensure effective intelligence gathering and crime prevention,” he said.

The governor commended security agencies for their efforts in maintaining relative peace in the state, noting that Bauchi has remained largely stable compared to many parts of the country, but warned that peace must not be taken for granted.

“Nigeria is facing complex security challenges such as banditry, kidnapping, cross-border crimes and misinformation. These threats are mobile and interconnected. No state is immune,” he said.

Bala Mohammed described the security meeting as preventive rather than reactive, urging stakeholders to pay attention to early warning signs such as land disputes, suspicious movements, and minor criminal activities before they escalate.

He also cautioned traditional rulers against abuse of authority, warning that acts such as illegal land allocation, harbouring criminals, or interfering with security operations would not be tolerated.

“Silence in the face of crime is complicity. Traditional institutions are not parallel governments but critical partners in governance,” the governor warned.

He further called for improved intelligence sharing, community engagement, and cooperation among security agencies, traditional rulers, and citizens to sustain peace and stability in Bauchi State.

“Security is a shared responsibility. We must work together to ensure Bauchi does not slide into crisis. Prevention is key,” Bala Mohammed added.