Gov. Mohammed: Wike Plotting to Destroy Me
Wike: Face Your Troubles, I’m Not Involved
By Yinka Giwa
In a season of sharp political exchanges, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, are trading sharp words over the political and legal crisis rocking Bauchi, with the governor accusing Wike of plotting to destroy him — and the minister firing back that Mohammed should face his problems without dragging him into them.
Mohammed, who chairs the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, made the allegation yesterday during an appearance on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme. He claimed that the Federal Government was using the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to persecute him and members of his cabinet because of their refusal to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
His comments followed the arraignment on Tuesday of Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, by the EFCC over alleged N5.79 billion money laundering and terror financing. Adamu was accused of conspiring with Ishaku Mohammed Aliyu, managing director of I.S. Makayye Investment Resources Limited, and Muntaka Duguri, both reportedly at large, to launder N4.65 billion between June and December 2023.
The governor said that despite enjoying constitutional immunity, his name had been included in an EFCC motion targeting members of his cabinet, alleging that Wike was behind the prosecution.
“The president is surrounded by hooligans and charlatans who want to destroy me,” Mohammed said. “Some want me to join the APC, some don’t want—like Wike. Wike is a big drag on the administration, and the president should know. I have nothing against him. He wants to destroy me.”
Mohammed further accused Wike of operating within the APC while still claiming PDP membership, describing him as “an undertaker” within the opposition party. He recalled the PDP faction that expelled Wike in November over alleged anti-party activities, insisting that Wike could not “be in two places at the same time.”
Reacting to allegations linking him to terrorism, Mohammed dismissed them as baseless and damaging, noting that Bauchi was among the most peaceful states in northern Nigeria. He said attempts to associate him with banditry or terrorism were part of a broader plot to smear and weaken opposition leaders.
“To accuse a sitting governor and leader of the opposition of terrorism is very painful,” he said, adding that he had petitioned the Attorney-General of the Federation, security agencies, and the international community to clear his name.
Wike, however, rejected the allegations in strong terms, advising Mohammed to stop the blame game and confront his challenges directly. Speaking during a “thank you” visit to Abua-Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State yesterday, the FCT minister said he had no interest in what was happening in Bauchi.
“Leave me alone and face your problems,” Wike said. “If your state is clean, go there and clear yourself. Don’t come and tell Nigerians stories.”
He denied orchestrating any EFCC action against Bauchi officials, insisting that Mohammed’s issues were strictly between him and the anti-graft agency. Wike also recalled past political disagreements with the Bauchi governor, accusing him of interference in Rivers politics and warning that such actions had consequences.
“What is my business? If you know you don’t have the strength to fight, why don’t you retreat?” Wike asked.
The minister also dismissed criticism of his stewardship of the FCT, countering allegations of questionable spending by pointing to ongoing projects in Abuja, which he said Nigerians were applauding.
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