Abuja, NIGERIA — In a bombshell accusation that has rocked Nigeria’s political elite, Yakubu Dogara, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, has accused Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed of betrayal. Dogara claims Mohammed turned his back on his powerful benefactor, Nyesom Wike, the former Rivers State Governor and current FCT Minister, despite receiving significant financial and political support from him
The scathing attack came in a statement exclusively sent to Time Africa on Tuesday through Dogara’s media aide, Turaki Hassan. According to Dogara, in 2018, a desperate Bala Mohammed had begged Wike for financial assistance to fund his gubernatorial campaign – even going so far as to kneel before him in a heartfelt plea.
Dogara did not hold back, calling out Mohammed for what he described as a “shameless” and “transactional” political approach. “For Bala to turn his back on Wike after all he did for him is nothing short of betrayal,” Dogara fumed.
The bitter feud between Mohammed and Wike is not just a personal spat but has ignited a wider rift within the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The party has been embroiled in a leadership crisis, with Mohammed and Wike now at loggerheads over the direction of the party. One of the key points of contention has been the unresolved battle for the PDP’s National Chairman and Secretary positions, both of which are allegedly held by Wike’s close allies.
Tensions reached a boiling point after Mohammed accused Wike of betraying the PDP in the wake of the 2023 presidential election, alleging that Wike secretly supported the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Mohammed even went so far as to demand Wike’s resignation as FCT Minister, a move that has sent ripples throughout the party.
But Dogara’s bombshell claims have added fuel to the fire. He revealed that Wike had not only financially supported Mohammed’s campaign in 2018 but had gone above and beyond to ensure his political rise. “Wike spared no expense – he even provided a private jet to ferry key campaign figures, including Chief Dan, to Bauchi. Wike personally ensured that Bala Mohammed emerged as the PDP flagbearer in 2019,” Dogara disclosed.
For Dogara, the sheer audacity of Bala Mohammed to now accuse Wike of being “transactional” is nothing short of hypocrisy. “It is utterly shocking that a man who was financially incapacitated and owed his entire political career to Wike now has the nerve to call him out,” Dogara declared.
He further labeled Mohammed’s actions as a “classic case of biting the hand that fed him,” branding the governor a “psychopath” and a “serial betrayer.” Dogara also pointed to Mohammed’s history of political opportunism, having previously jumped from the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) to the PDP, always benefiting from the party’s support while switching allegiances at will.
Read the full letter below:
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