Bala Mohammed: FCT Minster is a Terrorist

• Wike: you have no party for successor

•Fubara urges residents to ignore rising political tension in Rivers

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi, Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja and Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, yesterday, traded words, in what many consid-ered a renewal of their feud and rivalry.

While Mohammed accused Wike of being a “terrorist”, and claimed he was behind the Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC) charges against his finance commissioner, Wike derided the Bauchi State governor as someone without a political structure and party cohesion to produce a successor.

Mohammed who spoke in an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, yesterday, alleged that Wike was controlling institutions, bribing people, and selling lands to carry out operations.

“Somebody said he was going to put fire in my state,” he said, describing the minister as an “undertaker” in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) working against the party’s unity and interest.

The governor also claimed that Wike was working with a former accountant-general, who stole from Bauchi State to testify against his commissioner.

Mohammed, who spoke amid widening cracks within the opposition PDP, said Wike was not a genuine member of the party, alleging that his loyalty lay with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He stated, “Wike is an undertaker in our party. He is not there as a genuine member of the PDP, and I fought him. I was even at the secretariat when he went there to take over. You cannot be in two places at the same time — it’s against the rule of nature.”

Mohammed urged PDP leaders to be sincere and avoid arrogance in handling the party’s ongoing leadership tussle, warning that the consequences of impunity could be severe.

“We are the leaders today, but we should not think that we are arrogant and that we can do things with a lot of impunity, and nobody questions it,” he cautioned.

However, Wike, who was on a thank-you visit to Abua-Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he addressed supporters and political stakeholders, described Mohammed as someone without a political structure and party cohesion to produce a successor.

He urged the Bauchi governor to stop the blame game and face his problems, describing the crisis rocking PDP as a consequence of weak leadership and internal schisms.

He stated, “If you do not have such power, why are you fighting? If you have the power to put out a fire, then go ahead and do it. Face your problem.

“You came to my state. I told you to be careful. Leave my state alone because you wanted to impose a party leader in my state.

“I warned him, ‘you will see the consequences’. Today, he does not have a party to produce his successor. That is exactly what I warned him about. If you know you do not have the strength to fight, why don’t you retreat?”

The former Rivers State governor also dismissed as baseless allegation by Mohammed that he instigated crises in Bauchi State.

“He said all the problems he is facing are because of me, that I claimed I would put fire there. If you have such power, go ahead and use it. Face your problems?” Wike said.

The FCT minister, who said he was dealing with Mohammed at the level of party leadership, stressed that he was not interested in what was happening in his state.

He advised the Bauchi State governor to confront his issues with EFCC, which is after his associates for alleged financing of terrorism.

He said, “What is my business? If your state is clean, go there and clear yourself. Don’t come and tell Nigerians stories. Leave me alone and go and face your problems.

“You said I was selling land. You were Minister of the Federal Capital Territory from 2010 to 2015, why not tell Nigerians what you did with Abuja?

“You sold land everywhere. The contracts you awarded you couldn’t complete them. Now I am the one completing the projects. Nigerians are singing our praises every day. That means I have done well and I will continue to do well.”

He also downplayed criticisms that he was “semi-literate” and a former motor washer not fit for public office, saying such insults do not diminish his political achievements.

The FCT minister said, “I have no problem with that. At least I am semi-literate and not completely illiterate. Someone who washed cars became chairman of a local government, governor of one of the most important states in Nigeria, and a two-time minister.”

He defended his political choices and record in public office, insisting that Nigerians are increasingly judging leaders based on performance.

“When you tell people the truth, people get angry. But the truth remains the truth,” Wike said.

“If you were a senator for eight years, tell your people what you did. That is not abuse; that is accountability,” he said.

He defended his continued support for President Bola Tinubu, saying Rivers State has benefitted significantly under the current administration.

“The appointments Rivers State has received under President Tinubu have never happened in the history of this state. That is why I can boldly tell Rivers people to support him,” he said.

Fubara to Rivers: Ignore Political Tension

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, urged residents of the state to remain calm, but resolute in the face of rising political tension.

Fubara assured residents that his administration will not be distracted or intimidated by what he described as “sounds of war”.

He emphasised that prayer, restraint, and peaceful engagement, not confrontation, would continue to define the government’s approach to leadership and governance in 2026.

The governor gave the advice during the New Year crossover service at Chapel of Everlasting Grace, Government House, Port Harcourt.

Fubara reflected on the first two years of his administration, describing the period as one marked by turbulence and internal challenges that slowed the pace of development.

He stated that the state weathered the storm without being overwhelmed, stressing that the survival of Rivers through the period was proof of divine intervention and collective resilience.

He expressed strong optimism that 2026 would usher in a new phase of stability, renewed focus, and accelerated development.

The governor called on Rivers people to rise above political noise and intimidation, drawing lessons from the biblical account of Prophet Elijah.

He urged citizens to listen to the “still small voice” of God rather than be distracted by threats and provocations.

Fubara said, “We do not have the instrument of war; the only thing we have is our knees, and we will continue to pray to God. Do not be troubled by the sounds of war you are hearing.”

Ewor: Rivers Gov Deceived Us

Factional Caretaker Chairman of PDP in Rivers State, Dr. Robinson Ewor, alleged that Fubara deceived them into believing that he was capable of wresting political control from the Wike.

Ewor lamented that after making them believe his alleged mission, the governor dumped the party at the middle of a political sea for All Progressives Congress (APC)

The PDP chieftain made the comments while addressing journalists in Port Harcourt.

He said rather than follow the path of peace after the end of the emergency rule, so as to ensure smooth running of government, the governor allegedly boast-ed that Tinubu would not only force the House of Assembly members to pass the budget, but he would also force Wike to work for his re-election.

He demanded that the Rivers people must know the full content of the agreement reached with Mr. President before the emergency rule was lifted.

Ewor stated, “The mandate he (Fubara) is holding was given to him by Rivers people, and all his actions and inactions affects all those whose mandate he is holding.

“Therefore, it is incumbent on him at this material time to fully disclose to Rivers people all the agreement he entered into in a peace deal brokered by the president of the federation before the emergency rule was lifted.”