Bala Mohammed: Wike is a liability in Tinubu’s government

Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi, says Nyesom Wike, the minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), is a liability in President Bola Tinubu‘s administration.

Mohammed is reacting to Wike’s criticism of his opposition to the tax reform bills.

Mohammed, who chairs the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, has frequently kicked against the bills, alleging that they favour one region.

In a statement issued on Thursday by Mukhtar Gidado, his media adviser, Mohammed said Wike is a “transactional politician” and a “liability” in Tinubu’s administration.

“Chief Wike’s ascendancy in politics is a testament to the opportunities provided by the PDP,” the statement reads.

“Yet, he now gleefully undermines the very foundation that nurtured him. It is disheartening that a man who owes so much to a party that stood by him in his political journey has chosen to be a willing tool in its denigration.

“His recent media outburst was yet another reminder of his transactional approach to politics, where personal ambition eclipses loyalty, principles, and collective interests.

“Unlike Wike, who thrives on drama and divisiveness, Sen. Bala Mohammed has always understood that politics is not a game of self-serving theatrics but a platform to serve the public good.

“Wike’s erratic behaviour and opportunistic alliances expose him as an unreliable and fair-weather friend—traits that alienate even those who once stood by him.

“Wike’s attempt to question Sen. Bala Mohammed’s opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills is not only baseless but hypocritical.

“While Wike accuses others of insincerity, he has seamlessly transitioned from being a self-proclaimed PDP stalwart to an ardent supporter of the APC government.

“He now advocates for the re-election of the same APC administration in 2027, all while continuing to claim membership in the PDP. This chameleonic behaviour raises serious questions about Wike’s credibility and moral compass.

“Nigerians are not deceived by Wike’s antics. They see a man willing to undermine his party for personal gain, a man whose loyalty shifts as quickly as his alliances.

“Chief Wike’s tenure as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory has been marked less by governance and more by his weekly spectacle of media insults.

“Instead of using his platform to unite and inspire, Wike has reduced public service to a theatre of absurdity, alienating stakeholders and creating unnecessary tensions.

“His combative style and inability to engage in constructive dialogue make him a liability to the government he serves and a source of embarrassment to his former party.

“His relentless noisemaking and attention-seeking detract from the serious business of governance, undermining the credibility of the very government he claims to represent.

“Chief Wike’s dual loyalty—if it can even be called that—is a dangerous precedent in Nigerian politics. His shameless oscillation between PDP and APC undermines the moral fabric of democracy.”

Mohammed added that politics “must be guided by principles, not by personal whims”.