The political stage in Nigeria witnessed fresh drama on Thursday as Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, launched a scathing attack on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, branding him a “transactional politician” driven by self-interest rather than principles.
Governor Mohammed’s outburst came in a fiery press statement issued by his Special Adviser for Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado. The statement was a direct response to comments made by Wike during a recent media chat, where he criticised Mohammed’s opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s controversial Tax Reform Bills.
Gidado didn’t mince words, describing Wike’s remarks as “baseless” and “hypocritical,” while painting the former Rivers State governor as a politician whose loyalty is dictated by his personal ambitions.
“While Wike accuses others of insincerity, he has seamlessly transitioned from being a self-proclaimed PDP stalwart to an ardent supporter of the APC government,” the statement read. “He now advocates for the re-election of the same APC administration in 2027, all while continuing to claim membership in the PDP. This chameleonic behaviour raises serious questions about Wike’s credibility and moral compass.”
The Bauchi governor’s camp didn’t stop at mere rhetoric. Gidado accused Wike of using theatrics to mask his opportunistic tendencies. “Nigerians are not deceived by Wike’s antics. They see a man willing to undermine his party for personal gain, a man whose loyalty shifts as quickly as his alliances.”
The dispute comes amid growing tension within Nigeria’s political space, particularly between members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to which both Wike and Mohammed belong. Wike’s newfound alignment with the All Progressives Congress (APC) under President Tinubu’s administration has sparked outrage among his former allies, many of whom accuse him of betraying the PDP’s core values.
In contrast, Governor Mohammed positioned himself as a voice of reason, emphasizing that his opposition to the Tax Reform Bills stemmed from a desire to ensure fairness and accountability in governance. Gidado highlighted Mohammed’s “principled stand” as one that had already led to significant adjustments in the reform process, crediting the governor’s constructive dialogue for fostering inclusive governance.
Observers note that this public spat underscores the deepening fractures within the PDP, with critics suggesting Wike’s defection in all but name has further complicated the party’s internal cohesion.
As political watchers anticipate Wike’s next move, one thing is certain: Bala Mohammed has drawn a bold line, staking his reputation on principles and painting Wike as a man whose ambitions overshadow party loyalty. Whether this political chess match will strengthen or further divide the PDP remains to be seen.
This latest development adds yet another layer of intrigue to Nigeria’s ever-evolving political landscape.
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