Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has accused Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, of betrayal despite the critical support he allegedly received from the current Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, during his 2018 gubernatorial campaign.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his media aide, Turaki Hassan, Dogara revealed that Wike provided both financial and logistical support, which proved instrumental in Mohammed’s victory during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial primaries and subsequent election.
According to Dogara, Mohammed’s prospects of winning the 2018 primaries were slim as his main opponent, Senator Abdul Ningi, controlled the party’s structure in Bauchi State. Seeking assistance, Dogara reached out to Wike, who reportedly assured him of unwavering support. Wike facilitated the process by appointing his ally, Chief Dan Osi Orbih, as chairman of the primary election panel and providing a private jet to transport Orbih to Bauchi for the assignment.
Dogara further disclosed that Mohammed, who emerged as the PDP flagbearer, struggled to fund his campaign. A fundraiser organized at Sheraton Hotel, Abuja, raised only ₦48 million, an amount described as insufficient for the task at hand. In a desperate bid to secure funds, Dogara said he led a delegation to Port Harcourt to meet Wike.
During the visit, Wike reportedly expressed grievances about Mohammed’s alleged mistreatment during their tenure as ministers under President Goodluck Jonathan. However, Wike overlooked these concerns and provided substantial financial assistance, including a private jet, to support Mohammed’s campaign. Dogara claimed that Mohammed knelt before Wike to receive the funds, promising to change his ways.
“It’s shocking that Bala Mohammed, who had no financial capacity for his campaign, now has the audacity to call Wike ‘transactional,’” Dogara said, describing the Bauchi governor as a “psychopath” and a “serial betrayer.”
Dogara alleged that Mohammed has turned against his benefactors, including Wike and elder statesman Alhaji Bello Kirfi. He criticized Mohammed for labeling Wike a “transactional politician” despite benefiting significantly from his generosity.
The fallout between Wike and Mohammed stems from a broader PDP leadership crisis. Mohammed, who doubles as the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, accused Wike of betraying the party by collaborating with the All Progressives Congress (APC). Wike, in turn, accused Mohammed of hypocrisy, pointing out his own defection from the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) to the PDP while benefiting from PDP-led administrations.
The disagreement has been further exacerbated by the Rivers State crisis, where Mohammed is perceived to have sided with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Wike’s successor, amid their ongoing feud.
The public exchange of accusations underscores the deepening divisions within the PDP, with both figures locked in a contentious battle of words.
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