Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has openly criticized Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, calling him a “serial betrayer” and a threat to the survival of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In a press release issued on Saturday, Mohammed urged Wike to resign from the PDP and fully align with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The criticism comes in the wake of Wike’s alleged divisive actions within the party. Mohammed’s remarks were conveyed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado, who accused Wike of betrayal and opportunism.
In response, Wike’s Special Assistant on Media, Lere Olayinka, defended his principal, asserting that Mohammed’s leadership failures are at the root of the current PDP crisis. “He has always failed wherever he found himself. He has also been a betrayer,” Olayinka stated, urging Mohammed to focus on addressing his shortcomings rather than blaming others.
This exchange marks the second public confrontation between the two politicians in less than two weeks. Mohammed reiterated his view that Wike has become a “willing tool” for the APC, a party he previously criticized as “afflicted with Stage 4 cancer.”
Gidado described Wike’s recent statements as evidence of moral decay and highlighted past betrayals, citing former political allies such as Senator John Mbata and former Governor Rotimi Amaechi. He accused Wike of using and discarding allies for personal gain and characterized his political behavior as “use-and-dump.”
Wike’s reputation as a transactional politician was further spotlighted, with Gidado claiming that he has repeatedly undermined past PDP leaders, including Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and Chief Uche Secondus.
Despite the ongoing tensions, Gidado asserted that the PDP remains united and resolute in its objectives, distancing the party from Wike’s alleged treachery. “The biggest threat to the viability of the PDP is Wike’s rebelliousness against its core principles,” he stated.
Wike’s aide responded by reiterating that his principal is firmly rooted in the PDP and criticized Mohammed for his inability to maintain unity among the party’s governors. “Wike is not the reason for his failure of leadership in the PDP,” Olayinka concluded.
As the feud continues, the dynamics within the PDP remain fraught, with both leaders exchanging sharp words and accusations while navigating their political futures.