Port Harcourt: Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has told Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed to confront his own challenges and stop dragging him into the state’s political crisis.
Wike gave the advice during his “thank you” visit to Abua-Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State on Thursday.
Governor Mohammed had accused Wike of orchestrating the current crises in Bauchi, recalling that the minister once threatened to “put fire” in his state.
He further alleged that Wike was using federal agencies and political machinery to destabilise his administration, while faulting his leadership style in the FCT and describing his spending pattern as “questionable.”
Mohammed also claimed Wike had become a rallying point for conflicts within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Responding, Wike dismissed the allegations and urged Mohammed to stop the blame game. “If you do not have such power, why are you fighting? If you have the power to put out the fire, then go ahead and do it,” he said.
Wike accused Mohammed of attempting to impose a party leader in Rivers, warning that such interference had backfired. “Today, he does not have a party to produce his successor. That is exactly what I warned him about,” Wike added.
The minister stressed that his dealings with Mohammed were strictly at the level of party leadership and that he had no interest in Bauchi’s internal affairs. He advised the governor to face his issues with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which he said was investigating associates of Mohammed for alleged terrorism financing.
“What is my business? If your state is clean, go there and clear yourself. Don’t come and tell Nigerians stories. Leave me alone and go face your problems,” Wike declared.
He also challenged Mohammed’s record as former FCT minister, accusing him of selling land indiscriminately and leaving projects incomplete. “You sold land everywhere.
The contracts you awarded you couldn’t complete. 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.
Earlier, Mr. Owolobi Ofori, Chairman of Abua-Odual Local Government Council, and other stakeholders pledged 100 per cent loyalty to President Bola Tinubu and Wike.