Political Tensions Escalate Between Wike And Bala

A political showdown unfolded yesterday between Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, highlighting a growing rift within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The dispute escalated after Governor Mohammed accused Wike of attempting to destabilise Bauchi State and sabotage his political career through intimidation and smear campaigns. In an interview with a national television programme, the governor alleged that Wike had “put fire” in his state by associating him with banditry and terrorism for political purposes.

“I am a sitting governor, and my state is among the most secure in the North-East, if not northern Nigeria. Yet, I am being linked to banditry for political reasons,” Mohammed said, describing the allegations as deliberate falsehoods aimed at discrediting him as an emerging opposition figure. He insisted that Bauchi has remained largely peaceful under his leadership and condemned the accusations as part of a broader plot to silence dissenting voices.

Mohammed further claimed that influential forces, with Wike at the center, were pressuring him to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He stated that he had sought protection and redress by writing to the Attorney General of the Federation and relevant security agencies, and hinted at escalating the matter to international bodies, framing the campaign against him as a violation of his fundamental rights.

He criticised Wike for allegedly undermining the PDP while aligning with the APC-led Federal Government, asserting that such actions were inconsistent with opposition leadership. Mohammed also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remain vigilant against individuals misusing state institutions to weaken democracy.

The accusations coincide with rising tensions between the Bauchi State Government and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), following the filing of charges against the state’s Commissioner for Finance and others over alleged terrorism financing involving $9.7 million. Mohammed maintained that these allegations were politically motivated.

Wike, however, dismissed the claims as baseless and reflective of internal weaknesses in Bauchi and the PDP. During a visit to Rivers State, the minister criticised Mohammed for lacking the political structure and party cohesion to manage his affairs or produce a successor. He denied threatening to “put fire” in Bauchi and rejected claims that the EFCC was acting on his behalf.

The FCT minister also challenged Mohammed’s record as a former FCT minister between 2010 and 2015, accusing him of mismanagement and corruption. Wike described personal insults against him as irrelevant, emphasising his rise from local government chairman to governor and two-time minister as proof of his leadership credentials.

Wike reaffirmed his support for President Tinubu, highlighting federal appointments and benefits for Rivers State, and insisted that his political choices are guided by conscience and performance. “When you tell people the truth, people get angry. But the truth remains the truth,” he said.