Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Thursday exchanged sharp words in a renewed episode of their long-running political feud, as Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, urged calm amid rising political tension in his state.
Mohammed accused Wike of being a “terrorist” and alleged that the FCT minister was behind the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charges brought against his finance commissioner. He also claimed that Wike was exerting undue influence over institutions, bribing individuals and selling land to fund political operations.
Speaking during a television interview, the Bauchi governor alleged that Wike had threatened to “put fire” in his state, describing him as an “undertaker” within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who was actively working against the unity and interests of the opposition party.
Mohammed further claimed that Wike was collaborating with a former accountant-general who allegedly stole from Bauchi State and was now testifying against his commissioner. He questioned Wike’s loyalty to the PDP, alleging that his allegiance lay with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Wike is an undertaker in our party. He is not there as a genuine member of the PDP,” Mohammed said, warning party leaders against arrogance and impunity amid the PDP’s ongoing leadership crisis.
In response, Wike dismissed the allegations and described Mohammed as a politician without the structure or cohesion needed to produce a successor. Addressing supporters and stakeholders during a visit to Abua-Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State, the FCT minister accused the Bauchi governor of engaging in blame-shifting rather than confronting his political challenges.
Wike maintained that the crisis within the PDP was a result of weak leadership and internal divisions, insisting that Mohammed’s political problems were self-inflicted. He also rejected claims that he instigated unrest in Bauchi State, advising the governor to face the EFCC allegations involving his associates.
“What is my business? If your state is clean, go there and clear yourself. Don’t come and tell Nigerians stories,” Wike said, while also countering accusations over land sales by pointing to Mohammed’s own tenure as FCT minister between 2010 and 2015.
The FCT minister further downplayed personal insults directed at him, including claims that he was semi-literate or unfit for public office, arguing that his political trajectory and achievements spoke for themselves. He reaffirmed his support for President Bola Tinubu, saying Rivers State had benefitted significantly from appointments under the current administration.
Amid the heated exchanges, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara called on residents to remain calm and focused despite what he described as “sounds of war” in the political space. Speaking during a New Year crossover service at the Chapel of Everlasting Grace, Government House, Port Harcourt, Fubara said his administration would not be distracted or intimidated by political tension.
Reflecting on the first two years of his administration, Fubara said Rivers State had endured turbulence and internal challenges but survived through resilience and divine intervention. He expressed optimism that 2026 would bring stability, renewed focus and accelerated development.
“We do not have the instrument of war; the only thing we have is our knees, and we will continue to pray to God. Do not be troubled by the sounds of war you are hearing,” the governor said, urging residents to rise above political intimidation and remain peaceful.
Meanwhile, factional caretaker chairman of the PDP in Rivers State, Dr Robinson Ewor, accused Fubara of deceiving party members by allegedly presenting himself as capable of wresting political control from Wike, only to abandon the party midway through the crisis.
Ewor alleged that the governor later aligned with the APC and claimed that Rivers people deserved to know the full details of any agreement reached with President Tinubu before the lifting of emergency rule in the state.
He insisted that the mandate held by the governor belonged to the people of Rivers State and demanded full disclosure of any peace deal that affected governance and political stability in the state.
