Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, of threatening the peace and stability of Bauchi State, alleging that the minister has “put fire” in the state through political intimidation and smear campaigns.
The governor made the allegation on Thursday, January 1, during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, where he also denied any connection to banditry or terrorism.
Mohammed said the claims linking him to insecurity were aimed at damaging him as a prominent opposition figure, maintaining that Bauchi has remained relatively safe under his leadership.
“I am a sitting governor, and my state is among the most secure in the North-East, if not northern Nigeria. Yet, I am being associated with banditry for political reasons,” he said.
He claimed the allegations were being driven by influential figures, and singled out Wike as central to what he described as a coordinated effort against him.
“Somebody said he is going to put fire in my state. That person is the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike. A rising opposition leader being accused of terrorism is very painful. He is behind my problems. My informant in the EFCC told me…” Mohammed stated.
Mohammed argued that the accusations were meant to silence opposition voices, adding that “when you want to destroy a dog, you give it a bad name.”
He said he had formally written to the Attorney General of the Federation and copied relevant security agencies to seek intervention.
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“I am prepared to escalate this matter to the international community. This is victimisation, and I am asking for protection of my fundamental human rights,” he said.
The governor also accused Wike of working against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing him as a disruptive influence and questioning his place in the party.
“He is an undertaker in our party. You cannot be in two places at the same time. It is against the rule of nature,” Mohammed said.
Mohammed further alleged that he has faced pressure to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), saying his refusal had brought intimidation and harassment.
He also cautioned President Bola Tinubu about people around him who, he claimed, were weakening democracy by misusing state institutions.
Mohammed’s comments come as tensions persist within the PDP.
Earlier, Mohammed accused the Federal Government of using the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to harass him and officials of his administration.
Recall the EFCC recently filed charges against the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, and others over alleged terrorism financing involving $9.7 million, allegations the governor has dismissed as politically motivated.