Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has responded to a recent threat by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, dismissing the possibility of any crisis in his state. This came after Wike, in a fiery remark, warned governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to stay out of the political crisis in Rivers State or face potential trouble in their own states.
Wike had issued this warning during a state congress in Port Harcourt, where he criticized the PDP Governors’ Forum for supporting Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, over control of the party’s structure in the state.
He cautioned governors against interfering, saying, “I hear some governors who say they will take over the structure and give it back to somebody. Let me assure all of you, not while we live will anybody take away the structure of the PDP from us… or I will put fire in their states.”
In a clear response, Governor Mohammed, who is also the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, downplayed the threat during an address to members of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) in Bauchi.
“Nobody can put fire in Bauchi. We have volumes of water. Even my friend who said that, he’s only saying it because he’s annoyed. We may have said something that irritated him, but it’s not personal. My friend is my friend, and leadership is leadership,” he said, adding that Wike’s remarks were likely made in anger.
Governor Mohammed took the opportunity to emphasize the unity and strength of the PDP, despite the challenges it faces. He praised the visit of the NWC members to Bauchi, calling it an unsolicited demonstration of the party’s commitment to leadership and diversity.
“We must put our interests aside and respect our diversity, especially for a party like the PDP that has a history and a pedigree. Most of the developments in this country were done by the PDP,” Mohammed said.
The governor also commended the NWC for its efforts in maintaining stability within the party. He expressed confidence in the PDP’s ability to overcome internal crises through strong leadership.
Speaking on behalf of the NWC, the party’s National Legal Adviser, Kamaludeen Adeyemi, congratulated Governor Mohammed on his accomplishments in Bauchi and reiterated the party’s support.
“We are here to identify with you and to salute your courage as the chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum. Whatever steps are taken by the governors’ forum, we, as your representatives in the NWC, will always be glad to implement,” Adeyemi said.
Meanwhile, a pressure group within the PDP in Osun State, known as Professionals in PDP, has called on the party’s leadership to take action against Wike over his recent statements.
In a statement signed by the group’s President, Sam Segun-Progress, the group described Wike’s comments as “arrogant” and “unbecoming of a supposed leader.”
“The recent display of arrogance and uninformed outburst of the Minister of the FCT, Nyesome Wike, is not only shameless but demeaning. Is Wike above the law or above the party? What makes him special that he will be challenging the party leadership with no responses and daring us to act?” the statement read.
The group urged the PDP’s National Working Committee and governors to take decisive action, warning that failure to address the issue could lead to further division within the party.
“If the National Working Committee and governors are incompetent and afraid of Wike, some of us don’t see him as special, and we will not hesitate to mobilize to the national secretariat to reset the NWC,” the group added.