Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed has warned that Nigeria’s political space was shrinking, saying the nation risks sliding into a one-party system if urgent steps are not taken.
Mohammed stated this through an aide, Mohammed Atiku Isah who is the converter Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed Colloquium at the Nigeria’s Democracy Day commemoration themed: “The Audacity of Progress: Rethinking Governance, Reclaiming Democracy,” organized by Young Democrats of Nigeria in Kaduna.
The governor’s remarks were a direct response to Thursday’s address by President Bola Tinubu during the joint sitting of the National Assembly where he denied pushing Nigeria towards one-party state.
But Governor Mohammed insisted that the democratic space must be protected from domination by any single political interest, adding that the true essence of June 12 was in the unity and diversity that defined the historic election.
He said the Democracy Day celebration marking the June 12, 1993 election annulment was a moment to reflect on Nigeria’s democratic sacrifices and confront present dangers.
The governor stated: “The opposition is under threat, and there’s a looming danger of a one-party system ahead of 2027. This trend undermines the very foundation of our democracy, which is built on the principles of inclusivity, the rich diversity of our nation, and competition.
“The removal of fuel subsidies has led to unprecedented hardship, while the exchange rate crisis and rising cost of living have made life unbearable for many Nigerians.”
He said these developments “show a lack of understanding of the struggles of the common man and woman,” and told Tinubu to listen to the people and re-evaluate his approach.
“Democracy, as symbolised by June 12, must be about inclusion, economic justice, and shared prosperity not policies that widen the gap between government and governed,” he added.
According to the governor, even with the national challenges, the governor said he achieved what he called the “Audacity of Progress” in Bauchi, showcasing achievements under his administration.
“We’ve constructed over 1,000 kilometres of roads, renovated and built more than 300 schools, and boosted food production through smart agribusiness initiatives,” he said.
He also said 10,000 graduates had been employed and the Kaura Economic Empowerment Programme (KEEP) was set as examples of inclusive governance.
He appealed to Nigerians to be vigilant and defend democratic values. “Let us remember that the heroes of June 12… fought for the rights we enjoy today. Their sacrifice must not be in vain. We must continue to protect the democratic space and uphold the values of transparency, accountability, and popular participation.”
