Wike mocks Bala Mohammed over PDP crisis, says he can’t produce a successor
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, on Thursday said the Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, lacked the political structure and party cohesion necessary to produce a successor.
Wike made the remarks during his thank-you visit to Abua-Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he engaged supporters and political stakeholders.
The FCT Minister said the crisis in Bauchi State as the result of weak leadership and internal contradictions within the People’s Democratic Party.
He said the governor’s attempt to impose party leadership in Rivers was ill-advised and reiterated that such interference would have consequences.
Mohammed, speaking on Channels Television Sunrise Daily on Thursday, had accused Wike of orchestrating the current crises in the state, recalling that the minister had threatened to “put fire” in his state.
However, Wike dismissed allegations that he was responsible for the political troubles facing Bauchi State, saying claims that he threatened to “put fire” in the state were baseless.
He urged political leaders to recognise their limitations and avoid unnecessary confrontations.
He advised Governor Mohammed to retreat if he lacked the capacity to manage political conflicts, stressing that creating problems one cannot control only worsens the situation.
“If you do not have such power, why are you fighting? If you have the power to put out a fire, then go ahead and do it. Face your problem.
“You came to my state. I told you to be careful. Leave my state alone because you wanted to impose a party leader in my state.
“I warned him, you will see the consequences. Today, he does not have a party to produce his successor. That is exactly what I warned him about.
“If you know you do not have the strength to fight, why don’t you retreat?” Wike said.
The Minister, who said he was dealing with Mohammed at the level of party leadership, stressed that he was not interested in what is happening in Bauchi state.
Speaking further, Wike also encouraged the Bauchi State governor to focus on accountability and address ongoing investigations by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission involving his associates.
“What is my business? If your state is clean, go there and clear yourself. Don’t come and tell Nigerians stories. Leave me alone, go and face your problems.
“You said I was selling land. You were Minister of the Federal Capital Territory from 2010 to 2015, why not tell Nigerians what you did with Abuja?
“You sold land everywhere. The contracts you awarded you couldn’t complete them. Now I am the one completing the projects.
“Nigerians are singing our praises every day. That means I have done well and I will continue to do well,” Wike said.
The minister drew a sharp contrast between his own record in public office and criticisms aimed at him, highlighting his political achievements and service history.
He noted that personal attacks, including remarks about his education or background, do not diminish his accomplishments.
Wike challenged former lawmakers and critics to give account of their stewardship while in office, emphasizing that true accountability requires demonstrating concrete results to the people.
“If you were a senator for eight years, tell your people what you did. That is not abuse; that is accountability,” he said.
He maintained that leadership must be guided by conscience and tangible outcomes rather than convenience or self-interest.
He reaffirmed his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, pointing out that Rivers State has benefited significantly under the current administration. Wike highlighted the appointments and projects delivered to the state as evidence of effective governance.
“The appointments Rivers State has received under President Tinubu have never happened in the history of this state. That is why I can boldly tell Rivers people to support him,” Wike said.
The minister also condemned politicians who shift loyalties with every government, describing them as poor role models and cautioning that such opportunism undermines leadership. He insisted that Nigerians are increasingly judging leaders by performance rather than rhetoric.
“Yes, we need money, but we cannot sell our conscience. We will always do the right thing.
“You cannot be in every government and never see anything wrong. That is not leadership.
“When you tell people the truth, people get angry. But the truth remains the truth,” Wike said.
Earlier, Mr Owolobi Ofori, Chairman of Abua-Odual Local Government Council of Rivers and other stakeholders pledged 100 per cent loyalty to President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Ofori assured the minister that leaders of the various communities in the LGA were under the same canopy with him and await his directives.
“We know who we are following and we know where we are going. Our loyalty will never be in doubt, we are ready for you 100 per cent,” he said.
Also, Mr John Iderima (PDP – Abua-Odual State Constituency), thanked the minister for what he has done during his tenure as governor of the state.
Dominic, who said he would forever remain indebted to the minister, said that the communities never had it good until Wike became a governor in Rivers.
Former Minister of State for Environment, Mr Udi Odum, equally assured Wike that all the political warriors of the LGA were with him.
“I will work with you not for my personal gain but for the development of the area. I am assuring you that whoever did not get your blessing will fail in this area,” Odum said.
The Women Leader in the LGA, Mrs Ukel Oyakimi, equally pledged the complete loyalty of women in the area to the FCT minister and Tinubu.
“Our loyalty is with you and we will continue to follow you wherever you go,” she said.
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