Olusegun Ariyo
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has alleged that Federal Capital Territory minister, Nyesom Wike, played a major role in securing Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed’s gubernatorial ambition in 2018, both financially and logistically.
The ex-speaker accused Bala Mohammed of betrayal and biting the hand that once fed him.
According to Dogara, Mohammed’s chances of winning the primaries were slim as his major opponent, Senator Abdul Ningi, controlled the party structure in the state.
Dogara said he reached out to Wike, who assured him of full support and facilitated the process by appointing his ally, Chief Dan Osi Orbih, as chairman of the primary panel.
Wike reportedly provided a private jet to fly Orbih to Bauchi for the assignment and covered all expenses, with no conditions attached.
According to Dogara, after Bala Mohammed emerged as the PDP flagbearer, it became apparent that he lacked the financial resources to fund his campaign.
The former Speaker revealed that a fundraiser organized at the Sheraton Hotel in Abuja raised a meagre N48 million, leaving the team stranded.
Desperate for funds, Dogara said he led a delegation to Port Harcourt, where Wike again came to their rescue.
During the visit, Wike reportedly expressed his displeasure with Bala Mohammed, citing past grievances, including alleged mistreatment during their time as ministers under President Goodluck Jonathan.
The former Speaker in a statement issued on Tuesday through his media aide, Turaki Hassan, said despite the grievances, Wike provided financial assistance and even a private jet to support Bala Mohammed’s campaign.
Dogara revealed that Bala Mohammed knelt before Wike to collect the funds and promised to change his ways adding that Wike’s unconditional support proved instrumental in Bala Mohammed’s eventual victory.
“Wike bore all the costs, from providing a private jet to flying Chief Dan to Bauchi to personally ensuring Mohammed’s emergence as PDP’s flag bearer,” Dogara revealed.
“It’s shocking that Bala Mohammed, who had no financial capacity for his campaign, now dares to call Wike ‘transactional,” he added.
The former Speaker described Bala Mohammed as a “psychopath” and a “serial betrayer,” accusing him of turning on his benefactor Wike and others, including elder statesman Alhaji Bello Kirfi.
He criticized Mohammed for labelling Wike a “transactional politician” despite benefiting immensely from his generosity.
DAILY POST reports that the FCT Minister and the Bauchi governor have been at loggerheads over the PDP leadership crisis.
Mohammed had accused Wike of betraying the PDP by working with the All-Progressive Congress, APC, while demanding his resignation.
But Wike fired back, calling Mohammed a hypocrite, pointing out that he once switched from the All-Nigeria Peoples Party to the PDP while benefiting from a PDP administration.
The disagreement between the duo is also tied to the Rivers State crisis.
It is believed that Wike is not happy with Bala Mohammed, who doubles as the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, for siding with his successor in Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, amid their ongoing feud.
