Bala, Wike exchange words

The Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Thursday traded words, accusing each other of instigating crises and undermining democratic norms.

Governor Mohammed accused Wike and unnamed federal actors of orchestrating a campaign of political persecution, intimidation and abuse of state institutions to destroy him.

He alleged that Wike had threatened to “put fire” in Bauchi and was influencing petitions, security agencies and court processes, including actions involving the EFCC and his finance commissioner.

Wike mocked Mohammed, saying the Bauchi governor lacked the political structure and party cohesion needed to produce a successor.

He blamed what he described as Bauchi’s internal political troubles on weak leadership, dismissing claims that he was behind the governor’s challenges and insisting Mohammed should “face his problems” rather than shift blame.

The accusations arose amid the ongoing prosecution of the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged terrorism financing totalling $9.7 million.

On Wednesday, the EFCC arraigned Adamu alongside other senior Bauchi State officials before a Federal High Court in Abuja on charges bordering on conspiracy, conversion of public funds and terrorism financing. The EFCC also implicated Governor Bala Mohammed in the matter.

According to the EFCC, Adamu allegedly conspired with the other defendants between January and May 2024 to provide $2.3 million for the benefit of Bello Bodejo and his associates, under approvals said to have been granted by Governor Mohammed.

Wike plotting to ‘put fire’ in my state – Bala Mohammed

Speaking on Channels Television on Thursday, Bala Mohammed accused Wike of orchestrating a coordinated campaign of victimisation, political intimidation and abuse of security institutions aimed at destroying him politically.

He alleged that Wike was “controlling institutions, bribing people and influencing petitions” against him, insisting that the legal and security actions involving his administration were politically motivated.

“To mention my name at all is something that bothers me, because I have never been accused of such things. Look at my pedigree and antecedents — as a public servant, senator and minister. There are people behind this, and I know them.

“Somebody said he is going to ‘put fire’ in my state — the FCT Minister, Wike. I understand he is controlling institutions, bribing people and selling influence,” he said.

The governor claimed that informants within EFCC told him that petitions and documents allegedly influencing court processes were deliberately orchestrated to target him and implicate officials of his government, including his Commissioner for Finance.

“I am not saying my name should never be mentioned if my commissioner is actually involved in terrorism,” Mohammed said. “But to simply set aside my immunity is unfortunate. It gives me a bad name.”

According to him, the situation is part of a calculated attempt to damage his reputation, force him into political alignment, or neutralise him as a perceived threat. He said he had written to the Attorney-General of the Federation and other agencies and would escalate the matter to the international community.

Asked what he was demanding, Mohammed said: “I am asking for protection, because this is victimisation. Protection of my human rights. I cannot be vilified. They are reckless.”

He further described Wike as an “undertaker” within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), accusing him of divided loyalties and destabilising the party.

“You cannot be in two places at the same time. Not with them and with us at once,” he said, warning that unchecked impunity within the ruling circle posed a serious threat to democracy and accountability.

Face your problems, Wike slams Bala

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Thursday mocked Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, saying the governor lacks the political structure and party cohesion required to produce a successor.

Wike made the remarks during a thank-you visit to Abua-Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he addressed supporters and political stakeholders.

He described the situation in Bauchi as the outcome of what he called weak leadership and internal contradictions.

“Bala Mohammed came to my state and wanted to impose party leadership. I warned him to be careful and to leave my state alone,” Wike said. “I told him there would be consequences, and today he does not even have a party to produce his successor.”

Responding to claims that Governor Mohammed had accused him of instigating crises in Bauchi, the former Rivers State governor dismissed the allegation as baseless.

“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.

Wike said political leaders must understand their limitations and avoid confrontations they cannot manage.

“If you know you do not have the strength to fight, why not retreat? Why create problems you cannot manage?” he asked.

Wike reaffirmed confidence in his political choices and record, saying Nigerians are increasingly judging leaders by performance.

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

Bauchi AG asks FG to rein in EFCC

The Bauchi State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Hassan Usman El-Yakub (SAN), has called on the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, to urgently intervene and restrain the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over what he described as abuse of prosecutorial powers and political persecution in the state.

In a letter dated December 31, 2025, and addressed to the AGF, El-Yakub accused the EFCC of unlawfully arresting, detaining and prosecuting the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, alongside senior civil servants, over actions he said were carried out in the lawful discharge of their official duties.

He alleged that despite the officials’ cooperation, the EFCC detained them beyond constitutionally permitted timelines on administrative and bailable allegations, prompting criticism from a Federal High Court judge over prolonged detention without charge, disregard for bail principles and repeated failure to produce the defendants in court.

According to the Bauchi AG, the EFCC escalated the matter after judicial scrutiny by introducing allegations of terrorism financing and money laundering, which he said were absent at the point of arrest.

He described the new allegations as an afterthought aimed at intimidation and reputational damage, noting that no terrorist organisation or act had been linked to the case.

El-Yakub also faulted the EFCC for describing the state’s Accountant-General as “at large” in the charge sheet, insisting the official honoured EFCC invitations, was detained, granted bail and never evaded investigation.

The Bauchi AG further accused the anti-graft agency of repeatedly mentioning Governor Bala Mohammed in the charge sheet, despite him not being an accused person.

He described this as an attempt to indict the governor in the court of public opinion and criminalise political opposition, in violation of the governor’s constitutional immunity.

He warned that the EFCC’s actions were creating fear and insecurity, posing threats to the safety of the governor, his staff and family, especially amid heightened political contestation.

El-Yakub demanded that the AGF immediately review and supervise the EFCC’s conduct, restrain it from further abuse of process and media-driven prosecutions, ensure terrorism financing allegations are not pursued without credible evidence, and take steps to prevent actions that could inflame political tensions or endanger lives.

He stressed that the fight against corruption must be impartial and anchored in the rule of law, warning against the weaponisation of law enforcement for partisan purposes.

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