Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has asserted that no one can create chaos in his state, responding to a recent threat by Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Speaking during a visit from the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the governor confidently declared Bauchi’s ability to handle any challenge.
“We are together; nobody can put fire in Bauchi. We have a volume of water that will quench the fire, even my friend that said that did so because he is annoyed. Maybe I have said something that annoyed him, but it is not personal. My friend is my friend, my job is my job, and leadership is leadership,” Mohammed said, alluding to Wike’s comments.
This marks the first time Governor Mohammed has publicly addressed Wike’s earlier remarks.
Wike, frustrated with what he perceived as PDP governors meddling in the party’s affairs in Rivers State, had threatened to destabilize the states of those governors.
At a congress held in Rivers, Wike had declared, “Let me assure all of you, not while we live will anybody take away the structure of PDP from us. But let me tell people, I hear some governors who say they will take over the structure and give back to somebody. I pity those governors because I will put fire in their states.”
Wike had gone further, specifically mentioning the Bauchi governor.
“Whether you are from Bauchi I don’t give a damn, whichever state you are from, as far as I know that you are trying to put yourself in Rivers State, your hand will get burnt, and you will never sleep in your state.”
Responding, Governor Mohammed, who also chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum, emphasized the importance of unity within the party. “This unsolicited visit by the National Working Committee shows that in Nigeria, we have hope, and we are connected by the value and the stability of PDP for peace and stability in our party and in our country.”
He added, “Crises are there; that is why leadership is also there. We must respect people, put our interest aside, and close ranks, especially when the issue concerns our party, the PDP. Even if we are quarrelling, we are together. Nobody should misunderstand that; we are not a splinter group.”
Kamaldeen Ajibade Adeyemi, the PDP’s National Legal Adviser, reinforced the NWC’s support for the governors, stating, “Whatever step the governors’ forum takes, we as your representatives in the National Working Committee will always be glad to implement it.”
