Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has said that Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are responsible for the crisis that is shakening opposition parties.
He said in an interview with Daily Trust that the federal government had infiltrated the Labour Party (LP), the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in order to establish a one-party state.
On the crisis rocking the PDP, Mohammed said: “As Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, I need to exercise caution when discussing internal matters. Party politics should not be played out in the media. However, I can assure you that the governors are united, despite dissenting views. It’s unrealistic to expect 13 governors to always agree on everything. There are personal loyalties and relationships that can impact unity, but we are together in our resolve to move forward.
“We must also be mindful of the federal government, which seems determined to get its way. You can see this in the way they handle financial matters and their treatment of labour. This isn’t just a problem for the PDP; they’ve also penetrated other parties like the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the Labour Party (LP) in an attempt to create a one-party state. They have resources on their side, but bad governance will ultimately give us an advantage.”
The governor of Bauchi State claims that the matter between Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum and the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) has been settled.
The chairman of the PDP Governors Forum said he is certain the PDP can swiftly address any further crises that are threatening the party.
He said: “I’m confident we will. I’ve spoken to both sides, and while some people are stirring trouble, it’s important to ask who’s behind it: The answer is Tinubu and Wike.”
“Tinubu is backing Wike, who remains in the PDP while also aligning with the APC. It’s an unusual situation; but that’s the reality,” he added.
Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, cannot be a member of the PDP and serve in the administration run by the All Progressives Congress (APC), the governor of Bauchi added.
On Wike mention he got the endorsement of the party before joining the APC administration, Bala Mohammed said: “No, no. That’s not how things work. In line with natural justice, you can only belong to one place. You can’t be part of two opposing sides at the same time. Wike is a friend, and I’ve told him this directly, and I’m not afraid to say it publicly.”
“I don’t have anything personal against Wike. I would have supported him if he showed loyalty to the party. But he’s made it clear that he won’t. So, we can’t just stand by and let him do as he pleases, particularly when we are building towards 2027. Some party members believe that the current NWC under Ambassador Damagum is leaning towards Wike, and that’s part of the issue,” he added.
