Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed Alleges FCT Minister Wike Plotting Against Him, Wike Denies Claims
Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has alleged that political actors, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, are trying to damage his reputation and link him to terrorism financing and banditry. Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday, Mohammed dismissed the allegations, insisting Bauchi remains one of the safest states in northern Nigeria. He accused Wike of attempting to destabilise his administration and described efforts to implicate him and his relatives in false corruption claims. “Somebody said he’s going to put fire in my state—FCT Minister Wike. A rising politician and opposition leader being accused of terrorism is very painful. Even my nephew was wrongly dragged into a corruption case,” Mohammed said. The governor said he had written to the Attorney General of the Federation and relevant agencies and would seek international protection, calling the situation “victimisation” and a violation of his fundamental human rights. Mohammed also labelled Wike an “undertaker” in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), claiming the minister is not a genuine member and works to undermine opposition leaders like him. He warned that political intolerance and impunity could have serious consequences for Nigeria. Responding during a visit to Abua-Odual local government in Rivers State, Wike rejected the allegations, saying Mohammed was trying to shift blame for his own political struggles. “I watched what the Bauchi governor is saying, that all the problems he’s having, that I’m the one because I said I will put fire in his state. If I had such power, why would he be fighting?” Wike asked. The former Rivers State governor maintained that Mohammed’s difficulties stem from internal PDP disputes in Bauchi, not from him personally. He also denied any involvement in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigations targeting Mohammed’s associates. “This is to tell Nigerians to leave me alone and go face your own problems. I’m only challenging you as party leadership; I’m not interested in what you spend,” Wike said.