Public affairs commentator and Head of Mission of the Leadership and Accountability Initiative, Henry Shield, has described Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed as the only serving governor willing to openly challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu politically.
Speaking on Niger Unfiltered on SYMFONI, Shield said most state governors have become reluctant to confront the Federal Government due to political calculations or fear of consequences.
“There is no governor in Nigeria today that is able to challenge Tinubu apart from the Bauchi State governor,” he said.
Shield argued that the trend reflects a weakening of democratic opposition, alleging that institutions expected to provide checks and balances have become less assertive. He also criticised opposition parties for what he described as a lack of coordination and urgency ahead of the next general elections, saying they have failed to effectively mobilise public support or hold the government accountable.
He urged elected officials to prioritise the interests of Nigerians and speak out on policies regardless of political affiliation, arguing that a vibrant democracy depends on active oversight and constructive opposition.
Neither the Presidency nor the Nigeria Governors’ Forum had responded to Shield’s comments at the time the report was published.
