Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has accused Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, of betraying the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by conspiring with others to keep the chairmanship of the PDP Governors’ Forum in the North.
Wike made these remarks during a media parley in his office in Abuja on Wednesday, claiming that Mohammed had called for the removal of the PDP’s acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, after Damagum refused to comply with his demands.
Wike stated, “We have never had it this bad in PDP, in terms of leadership, particularly from the chairman of the Governors’ Forum. It’s not about talking, but about action.”
He continued, “How do you know when someone is treacherous? When Tambuwal finished as chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, we had always alternated between North and South. But Bala and others conspired, went to Bauchi, and retained the chairmanship of the PDP Governors’ Forum in the North.”
Wike added, “Of course, he knows if I were governor, that wouldn’t have happened. He succeeded because of what I call infantile ambition. To be a leader, you must make sacrifices and have the capacity to galvanize people.”
Wike also pointed out the importance of actions over mere words in assessing leadership, saying, “As an opposition party, people will judge if you are serious about taking over power. It’s not about talking or appearing on national TV to make accusations. It’s not about insulting people.”
He criticized Mohammed’s leadership of the Governors’ Forum, asking, “As the chairman of the Governors’ Forum, how has he organized his colleagues in funding the party? How has he made the party efficient through the National Working Committee? How has he ensured they are ready to take over power from the ruling party in Ondo State?”
Wike further revealed, “It was Bala who said Damagun should complete Ayu’s tenure. When we went to the last NEC meeting and issues arose, it was Bala who sent people to court for an interpretation of the party’s constitution. When Damagun didn’t follow his demands, he started saying Damagun must go.”
