Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has said that he would not allow anybody to criminalise him just because he refused to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Besides, Mohammed described the situation as growing political intolerance, persecution and misuse of state power, warning that such actions pose serious threats to peace, security and democratic stability in Nigeria.

Speaking when he received a delegation from the Safety Institute of Nigeria led by its live member, Mr Marquin at Exco Chamber Government House Wednesday in Bauchi, the governor expressed concern over what he called the irony of governance in the country, where leaders who attempt to work for the people are often vilified and criminalised for political reasons.

He lamented that despite enjoying constitutional immunity, some of his close aides and family members have allegedly been arrested and detained without justification, describing the situation as an abuse of due process and the rule of law.

The governor also accused political opponents of deliberately tarnishing his image through false allegations of terrorism and financial mismanagement, stressing that such claims were unfounded and politically motivated.