Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has fired back at Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, telling him to confront his challenges head-on instead of dragging him into what he described as self-inflicted problems.
Wike spoke on New Year’s Day during a “thank you” visit to Abua-Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he dismissed allegations by the Bauchi governor that he was behind the crises rocking Bauchi State.
Recall that Mohammed, while appearing on Sunrise Daily on Channels Television, accused Wike of threatening to “put fire” in Bauchi and orchestrating instability in the state.
Reacting, the FCT minister accused Mohammed of playing politics with his own misfortune.
“If you don’t have such power, why are you fighting? If you have the power to quench fire, then go ahead and do it. Face your problem,” Wike said.
He recalled warning Mohammed during an earlier visit to Rivers State to stay out of local political affairs, accusing him of attempting to impose a party leader.
“I warned him to be careful. Today, he doesn’t even have a party to produce his successor. That is exactly what I told him would happen,” Wike stated.
The minister further advised the Bauchi governor to stop shifting blame and deal with issues involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which he said was investigating Mohammed’s associates over alleged terrorism financing.
“If your state is clean, go there and clear yourself. Don’t come and tell Nigerians stories. Leave me alone and face your problems,” he said.
Wike also tackled claims that he was selling land in Abuja, reminding Mohammed that he served as FCT minister from 2010 to 2015.
“You sold land everywhere. The contracts you awarded were abandoned. Today, I am the one completing project. Nigerians are praising us every day because we are working,” he added.
Earlier, the chairman of Abua-Odual LGA, Mr Owolobi Ofori, alongside community leaders, pledged total loyalty to President Bola Tinubu and Wike.
“We know who we are following and where we are going. Our loyalty will never be in doubt,” Ofori declared.
