Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has dismissed claims by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed that he is orchestrating a plot to ruin the governor’s reputation, calling the allegations an attempt to divert attention from the governor’s own challenges.
The dispute flared after Governor Mohammed appeared on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily and said Mr Wike had threatened to “put fire” in Bauchi and was now using federal agencies and political networks against his administration. Governor Mohammed also criticised Mr Wike’s stewardship in Abuja and suggested the minister’s actions had contributed to factional tensions within the Peoples Democratic Party.
Speaking during a thank-you visit to Abua-Odual Local Government in Rivers State, Mr Wike rejected those claims and urged the Bauchi governor to address his governance problems instead of assigning blame.
Wike replies Gov Mohammed
“If you know I have such power, why are you fighting?” Mr Wike said, recalling his earlier warning to the Bauchi governor to steer clear of political interventions in Rivers State. “Go and face your problems. You came to my state. I said, ‘Be careful, leave my state alone.'”
Mr Wike said Governor Mohammed had sought to impose party leaders in Rivers State and that those attempts had predictable consequences. He added that the governor now lacked a viable party structure to support his preferred successor.
On allegations that Mr Wike was behind anti-corruption pressure on some of Governor Mohammed’s associates, the minister insisted he had no link to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s operations and cautioned against politicising law enforcement.
“What is my business?” he said. “I am only fighting you on party leadership; I am not interested in what you spend.” The minister called for any investigations to proceed through proper channels rather than being framed as political vendettas.
Mr Wike also challenged the Bauchi governor to account for his own record as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory between 2010 and 2015. He accused Governor Mohammed of selling land, awarding contracts and collecting upfront payments during his tenure, and said the current work in Abuja represented the completion of projects started earlier.
The exchange underscores intensifying contestation within the Peoples Democratic Party, where disputes over leadership, candidate selection and control of party structures have become more visible ahead of future elections. Analysts say such public disagreements risk further fragmentation unless party actors pursue reconciliation through internal mechanisms.
Neither side offered detailed evidence to substantiate claims about the involvement of federal agencies in state-level politics. The EFCC has not publicly linked Mr Wike to any actions in Bauchi, and the commission operates independently of ministers in its investigative role.
For now, the disagreement remains part of a wider pattern of intra-party rivalry that observers say will be closely watched by voters and political operatives in the lead-up to the next electoral cycle. Both leaders maintain significant influence in their regions, and how the row is resolved may shape local alliances and candidate choices within the PDP.
Key Takeaways:
- Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike rejects Governor Bala Mohammed’s allegation that he plotted to undermine the Bauchi governor.
- Wike says the accusations are a distraction and urges Governor Mohammed to address his administration’s problems.
- Wike denies involvement with EFCC actions and challenges Mohammed to account for his record as former FCT minister (2010–2015).
- The exchange highlights growing tensions within the Peoples Democratic Party over party leadership and succession.
