Former House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara has claimed that Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, was instrumental in gaining the financial and logistical support for Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed’s 2018 bid for governor.
Bala Mohammed was accused by the former Speaker of betraying him and snatching the hand that fed him.
Dogara claimed that Mohammed had little chance of winning the primaries since Senator Abdul Ningi, his main rival, controlled the state’s party apparatus.
Dogara claimed that he contacted Wike, who promised him his undivided support and expedited the procedure by designating Chief Dan Osi Orbih, an associate, as the principal panel’s head.
According to reports, Wike paid for Orbih’s flight to Bauchi in a private plane and covered all costs without any restrictions.
Dogara claims that it became clear that Bala Mohammed lacked the funds to support his campaign after he was elected as the PDP flagbearer.
The team was left stranded when a fundraiser at the Sheraton Hotel in Abuja only earned a pitiful N48 million, according to the former Speaker.
Dogara claimed that while leading a team to Port Harcourt in dire need of money, Wike once more saved them.
Wike reportedly complained about Bala Mohammed during the visit, citing earlier issues, including alleged abuse while they were ministers under President Goodluck Jonathan.
In a statement sent on Tuesday via his media assistant Turaki Hassan, the former Speaker said that Wike had supported Bala Mohammed’s campaign with money and even a private jet in spite of the complaints.
Dogara disclosed that Wike’s unwavering backing was crucial to Bala Mohammed’s eventual success, and that Bala Mohammed bowed before him to accept the money and pledged to alter his ways.
“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 has the audacity to call Wike ‘transactional,” he added.
The former Speaker accused Bala Mohammed of betraying his benefactor Wike and others, including elder politician Alhaji Bello Kirfi, calling him a “psychopath” and a “serial betrayer.”
Despite having greatly benefited from Wike’s kindness, he chastised Mohammed for calling him a “transactional politician.”
According to reports, the PDP leadership issue has caused friction between the governor of Bauchi and the minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Mohammed had demanded Wike’s resignation and accused him of betraying the PDP by collaborating with the All Progressive Congress, or APC.
In response, Wike blasted Mohammed as a hypocrite, pointing out that he had previously defected from the All Nigeria Peoples Party to the PDP while enjoying the advantages of a PDP government.
The Rivers State problem is also linked to the two parties’ conflict.
Bala Mohammed, who also serves as the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, is thought to have angered Wike by supporting Siminalayi Fubara, his successor in Rivers State, during their continuing conflict.