Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has raised a strong alarm over the “shrinking political space in Nigeria”, warning that the nation risks sliding into a one-party system if urgent steps are not taken.
The governor spoke through his representative, Mohammed Atiku Isah who is the converner 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.
During his address before the National Assembly, on Thursday, President Bola Tinubu had denied pushing Nigeria towards one-party state.
But Governor Mohammed emphasized that the democratic space must be protected from domination by any single political interest, noting that the true essence of June 12 lies in the unity and diversity that defined the historic election.
He described the Democracy Day celebration marking the June 12, 1993 election annulment as a moment to remember 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.”
According to him, these developments “show a lack of understanding of the struggles of the common man and woman.”
Mohammed urged the federal government to listen to the people and re-evaluate its 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.
Despite the national challenges, the governor pointed to 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 cited the employment of 10,000 graduates and the Kaura Economic Empowerment Programme (KEEP) as examples of inclusive governance.
Governor Mohammed concluded by calling on Nigerians to stay 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.”
