Former Speaker of the House of
Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has strongly criticized Bauchi State Governor
Bala Mohammed, accusing him of betraying and showing ingratitude toward Nyesom
Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Dogara’s remarks come as tensions escalate between
Mohammed and Wike, marked by public exchanges and counter-allegations.
The dispute was amplified recently when Wike’s media
adviser, Lere Olayinka, criticized Mohammed’s opposition to President Bola
Tinubu’s tax reform bills, labeling his stance as misplaced. In retaliation,
Mohammed described Wike as a “transactional politician” who betrays allies and
shifts loyalties for personal benefit.
Addressing the controversy, Dogara issued a statement
titled “Let the Truth Be Told,” recounting how Wike allegedly played a pivotal
role in salvaging Mohammed’s political career during the 2019 governorship race
in Bauchi.
Dogara stated, “As someone who knows so much because I
was the provocateur of the events between the two, I consider my silence not
just cowardice but complicity. Therefore, I am not afraid to stand alone or
risk conflict. This is not about defending Wike, but stating the raw truth I
know.”
He explained that Wike had stepped in during the 2018
PDP gubernatorial primaries when Mohammed faced stiff competition from Senator
Abdul Ningi, who controlled the party structure in Bauchi.
“Wike made his close ally, Chief Dan Orbih, the
chairman of the primaries panel and provided a private jet to fly him to Bauchi
for the exercise. Wike bore all the expenses without placing any conditions for
his support,” Dogara revealed.
Dogara further alleged that after Mohammed won the PDP
ticket, his campaign was underfunded, forcing them to rely heavily on Wike for
financial and logistical support.
“When Bala Mohammed promised to sponsor all party
candidates if he got the ticket, we didn’t realize he lacked the financial
capacity to fund even his campaign. A fundraiser at Sheraton Hotel in Abuja
only raised a paltry N28 million after expenses. It became clear we had no
other option but to seek help from Wike,” Dogara said.
He recounted how Wike, despite initial resentment due
to past grievances with Mohammed, forgave him after Mohammed admitted his
wrongdoings and apologized.
“Wike handed over cash assistance to Bala and even
provided a private jet to return us to Abuja. This wasn’t a one-off act of
kindness—Wike supported Bala on multiple occasions without asking for anything
in return. Yet, Bala has chosen to betray him, proving Wike’s earlier warning
that he would regret supporting Bala,” Dogara added.
Dogara also accused Mohammed of a history of betraying
allies, referencing his fallout with political mentors like Bello Kirfi, a
former minister during the Second Republic.
He stated, “Bala Mohammed’s record of betrayal is
well-documented. When Wike was his benefactor, he praised him as ‘focused,
courageous, and determined.’ Now, he chooses to malign the same man who once
rescued him from political obscurity. This is nothing but a shameful act of
ingratitude.”
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