23/01/2025
SEN BALA MOHAMMED RESPONDS TO NYESOM WIKE
The attention of Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, the Executive Governor of Bauchi State and Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, has been drawn to the latest disjointed and bombastic media chat by Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, the Honorable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. In his characteristic style, Chief Wike launched into his now-predictable tirade, marked by contradictions, grandstanding, and a perplexing display of loyalty that seems to shift with the wind.
While Wike’s incoherence often makes it difficult to discern any substantive points, Sen. Bala Mohammed finds it necessary to respond to a few specific remarks that distort facts and aim to undermine the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)—the very platform that gave Wike his political rise.
2- A Transactional Politician Who Bites the Hand That Feeds Him
Chief Wike’s ascendancy in politics is a testament to the opportunities provided by the PDP. 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 behavior and opportunistic alliances expose him as an unreliable and fair-weather friend—traits that alienate even those who once stood by him.
3- Friendship and Governance: A False Narrative
Chief Wike’s assertion that he is not friends with Sen. Bala Mohammed is as irrelevant as it is puerile. Governance is not built on personal friendships but on competence, vision, and the ability to deliver results. Sen. Bala Mohammed’s achievements in Bauchi State speak for themselves. His leadership has elevated the PDP as a formidable opposition party, countering the excesses of the APC-led federal government, while Wike busies himself playing a double game—PDP by day, APC by night.
Should Wike ever have a moment of genuine self-reflection and wish to align himself with true leadership, Sen. Bala Mohammed would welcome him with open arms. Until then, Wike’s friendship—or lack thereof—is inconsequential to the progress of Bauchi State and the strengthening of Nigeria’s democracy.
4- A Hypocritical Critic of Opposition Politics
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 behavior 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. By contrast, Sen. Bala Mohammed’s opposition to the Tax Reform Bills reflects a principled stand aimed at ensuring inclusive governance and accountability. His constructive interventions have already led to significant adjustments in the reform process, underscoring the importance of meaningful dialogue over hollow rhetoric.
5- Wike’s Governance of Insults and Disarray
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 theater 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.
Even members of the APC are reportedly dismayed by Wike’s antics, which reflect poorly on the administration as a whole. His relentless noise-making and attention-seeking detract from the serious business of governance, undermining the credibility of the very government he claims to represent.
6- The Hypocrisy of Dual Loyalties
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. Politics must be guided by principles, not by personal whims. Wike’s behavior, reminiscent of George Orwell’s Animal Farm, where roles blur and values vanish, exemplifies the kind of amoral politics that erodes public trust and damages national unity.
7- Sen. Bala Mohammed: A Leader of Substance
In contrast to Wike’s theatrics, Sen. Bala Mohammed has consistently demonstrated vision, focus, and integrity. His leadership within the PDP Governors Forum and his principled stance on national issues, including the Tax Reform Bills, reflect his commitment to Nigeria’s progress. While Wike entertains the public with his media circus, Sen. Bala Mohammed remains steadfast in his mission to uplift the people of Bauchi State and strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
8- Conclusion
Chief Wike’s antics may grab headlines, but they offer little substance. His betrayal of the PDP and his divisive politics reveal a man driven by personal ambition rather than public service. As Nigerians continue to see through his duplicity, Wike’s legacy will be that of a political mercenary who squandered opportunities and betrayed his allies.
Meanwhile, Sen. Bala Mohammed will continue to lead with dignity, focus, and a commitment to the greater good—values that stand in stark contrast to Wike’s self-serving agenda. The time for governance is now, and it requires leaders of integrity, not noisemakers who prioritize personal gain over national progress.
Signed
Mukhtar Gidado
Special Adviser Media and Publicity to the Governor, 23rd January , 2025.
