In a recent statement, Yakubu Dogara, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, accused Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, of betraying the very person who helped him win his gubernatorial seat in 2018—Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory Minister.

According to Dogara, when Bala Mohammed faced tough competition from Senator Abdul Ningi in the PDP primaries, it seemed like he had little chance of winning. At the time, Ningi controlled the party structure in Bauchi State. It was then that Dogara turned to Wike for help. Wike, who had no conditions attached, provided financial and logistical support to Mohammed’s campaign. He even appointed his ally, Chief Dan Osi Orbih, as the chairman of the primary panel and arranged for Orbih to fly to Bauchi using a private jet, covering all expenses.

After Mohammed emerged as the PDP’s candidate, it became clear that he lacked the necessary funds to run his election campaign. Despite any existing grievances, Wike came through again, providing the financial backing needed, including another private jet to help with the campaign. Dogara shared that Mohammed even knelt before Wike to thank him for his support and promised to change his ways. Dogara added that it was Wike’s unconditional help that ensured Mohammed’s victory.

However, Dogara expressed shock over Mohammed’s later remarks about Wike, calling him a “transactional politician.” Dogara condemned this as hypocritical, given that Wike’s financial backing had been crucial to Mohammed’s success. He also accused Mohammed of being a “serial betrayer” and turning his back on Wike, as well as other figures like elder statesman Alhaji Bello Kirfi, who had helped him.

The ongoing tension between Wike and Mohammed is also tied to a larger political crisis within the PDP, with both men involved in leadership disputes. The disagreement has grown, particularly after Mohammed, who is the chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, supported a rival of Wike in the ongoing Rivers State feud.