The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has pushed back against claims by Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, that he is behind an alleged plot to damage his reputation and destabilise his administration.
Governor Mohammed made the allegation during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday, where he accused Wike of orchestrating political crises against him.
He claimed the FCT minister had previously vowed to “put fire” in Bauchi State and was now using federal agencies and political influence to undermine his government.
The Bauchi governor also criticised Wike’s handling of affairs in Abuja, describing his spending pattern as questionable and portraying him as a major source of division within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Responding during a “thank you” visit to Abua-Odual Local Government Area in Rivers State, Wike dismissed the accusations, describing them as an attempt by Governor Mohammed to deflect attention from his own political and administrative challenges.
“I watched what the governor of Bauchi is saying—that all the problems he is having are because of me, just because I said I would ‘put fire’ in his state,” Wike said.
“If you know I have such power, why are you fighting? If I have the power to put fire, what are you fighting? Go and face your problems.”
Wike alleged that Mohammed’s troubles stemmed from his actions within the PDP, particularly his attempt to impose party leaders in Rivers State.
“You came to my state. I said, ‘Be careful, leave my state alone.’ He wanted to impose party leaders in my state, and I said, ‘You too, you will see the crisis.’ Today, he does not even have a party to bring his successor,” he stated.
Addressing claims that he was responsible for alleged pressure from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on some of Mohammed’s associates, Wike denied any involvement and warned against politicising the activities of law enforcement agencies.
“This is what I warned them: if you know you don’t have the strength to fight, why not go and rest? Now the EFCC is chasing them, and he says it is me. What is my business?
“Go and face your problem. I am only fighting you on party leadership; I am not interested in what you spend,” he added.
Wike also challenged Governor Mohammed to explain his own record as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory between 2010 and 2015 before criticising the current administration’s handling of Abuja projects.
“He said I am selling land—but you were a minister of the FCT from 2010 to 2015. Why not tell people what you did in the FCT, the whole land you sold?
“You did the roads, awarded contracts, collected upfront payments, and now I am the one completing all the projects,” Wike said.
What you should know
The exchange between Nyesom Wike and Bala Mohammed highlights deepening cracks within the PDP, as senior figures trade accusations over power, influence and accountability.
Mohammed has accused federal authorities of targeting him for refusing to join the APC, while Wike insists his role is limited to party leadership disputes.
The public war of words reflects broader tensions in Nigeria’s opposition politics ahead of future elections and underscores the lingering divisions following recent defections and internal party crises.
