Niger Delta group tackles Bala Mohammed over his ‘interest’ in Rivers politics

The Niger Delta Reform Agenda (NDRA) has raised concerns about the involvement of Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi, in Rivers state politics.

At a meeting of the national working committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in September, Mohammed interfered in the political tussle between Nyesom Wike, minister of federal capital territory (FCT), and Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers.

But Wike threatened that he would “put fire” in the states of the PDP governors supporting Fubara.

Mohammed responded that his state had enough water to quench the fire that Wike threatened to put in the states.

In a statement on Wednesday, Sergeant Danielson, president of the NDRA, said the Bauchi governor’s sudden interest in Rivers politics is driven by “his 2027 political ambitions”.

He said the governor’s actions are calculated moves to exploit Rivers state’s resources for his political gain, rather than a genuine concern for the people.

“Governor Bala Mohammed, who has recently taken on the mantle of an activist among his peers, has shown an unusual and unsettling interest in the affairs of Rivers state while abdicating his role as Bauchi state governor,” Danielson said.

“This unhealthy interest is not born out of genuine concern for the people of Rivers state but rather a calculated move to exploit the state’s resources for his political gain.

“The Niger Delta Reform Agenda condemns this blatant opportunism and calls for immediate action to protect the interests of Rivers state.”

Danielson also slammed Fubara for allowing “external forces” to exploit the state’s resources.

“Unfortunately, Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers state, is the one who opened the floodgates, allowing these political opportunists to feast on the state’s resources,” he said.

“It is disheartening to see how the resources meant for the development and welfare of the people of Rivers State are being squandered by individuals who have no stake in the state’s future.

“This reckless abandonment of responsibility by governor Fubara is not only a betrayal of the trust placed in him by the people but also a grave injustice to the state.

“The Niger Delta Reform Agenda vehemently opposes this exploitation. We stand firm in our resolve to safeguard the resources of Rivers state from being plundered by external forces.

“The people of Rivers state deserve leaders who are committed to their welfare, not those who will sell the people of the state out for their political ambitions.