Wike to Gov Bala: Face your problems, leave me alone

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has hit back at Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, dismissing allegations that he is behind the political challenges in the state.

The Bauchi governor had accused Wike of orchestrating crises against him during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday.

Bala claimed Wike once vowed to “put fire” in Bauchi and was allegedly using federal agencies and political machinery to undermine his administration.

He also criticised Wike’s governance in Abuja, suggesting the minister’s spending habits were questionable and that he had become a central figure in internal disputes within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Responding during a “thank you” visit to Abua-Odual Local Government in Rivers State, Wike dismissed the allegations as an attempt by Bala to shift blame for his own political missteps.

“I watched what the Bauchi governor is saying — that all the problems he’s having, it’s because of me.

“If I had such power, why are you fighting? If I had such power to put fire, why are you struggling?” Wike said.

The former Rivers State governor insisted Bala’s troubles were the result of his own actions within the PDP. “Go and face your problem.

You came to my state, I said, ‘Be careful, leave my state alone.’ You want to impose a party leader in my state.

Today, he doesn’t even have a party to bring his successor,” he added.

On claims that Wike was responsible for alleged Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) pressure on some of Bala’s associates, the minister denied involvement, stressing that law enforcement should not be politicised.

“Now EFCC is chasing them, he said it’s me. What’s my business? If your state is clean, go there and enjoy yourself,” Wike said.

He further clarified that his disagreements with Bala were strictly about party leadership, not personal finances or governance choices.

“I’m only fighting with you as party leadership. I’m not interested in what you spend,” he said.

Wike also challenged Bala over his own record as FCT Minister between 2010 and 2015.

“You said I’m spending badly. You were Minister of FCT from 2010 to 2015. Why not tell the people what you did in the FCT? The whole land, you sold it. Do the roads, you awarded contracts, they collected upfront, and now I’m the one completing the projects,” Wike said.

Closing with a sarcastic jab, the FCT minister mocked the perception that he is behind every political crisis in the country.

“Anybody who has a stroke, it’s Wike. Anybody who has a headache, Wike.

“Those who are in Sokoto, Wike, they are in Taraba, Wike. They are in Lagos, Wike; they are in Bauchi, Wike. So it means this Wike is too strong,” he said.