Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has sensationally claimed that Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed knelt before FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike in 2018 to seek financial support for his governorship campaign.
Dogara, whose accusation comes amid ongoing leadership crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), also accused Mohammed of betrayal, claiming the governor is now “biting the hand that fed him.”
He highlighted that Wike’s unconditional support was crucial to Mohammed’s victory in the 2019 governorship election.
Mohammed recently accused Wike of betraying the PDP by allegedly supporting the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2023 presidential election and called for his resignation as FCT Minister.
Wike, in response, labeled Mohammed a hypocrite, pointing out the governor’s history of switching from the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) to the PDP while benefiting from a PDP-led administration.
The dispute between the two leaders is also linked to the lingering Rivers State crisis.
In reference to the 2018 election, Dogara said Mohammed’s chances of winning the primaries were slim as his major opponent, Senator Abdul Ningi, controlled the party structure in the state.
Dogara said he reached out to Wike, who assured him of full support and facilitated the process by appointing his ally, Chief Dan Osi Orbih, as chairman of the primaries conducted by the party.
The former Speaker revealed that a fundraiser organized at Sheraton Hotel in Abuja raised a meager N48 million, leaving the team stranded.
Desperate for funds, Dogara led a delegation to Port Harcourt, where Wike again came to their rescue.
During the visit, Wike reportedly expressed his displeasure with Bala Mohammed, citing past grievances, including alleged mistreatment during their time as ministers under President Goodluck Jonathan.
The ex-speaker in a statement issued on Tuesday through his media aide, Turaki Hassan, said despite the grievances, Wike provided financial assistance to support Bala Mohammed.
“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 said. “It’s shocking that Bala Mohammed, who had no financial capacity for his campaign, now has the audacity to call Wike ‘transactional.’”
The former Speaker described Mohammed as a “serial betrayer,” used to turning on his benefactors, including Wike and elder statesman Alhaji Bello Kirfi.
