“Bala Mohammed’s Supporter Refutes Dogara’s Claims on PDP Primaries and Wike’s Influence”

Alhaji Hamza Koshe Akuyam, former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi State, has accused the ex-Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, of political opportunism. Akuyam claimed that Dogara, who was once politically stranded, owes his political survival to Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who provided him with a lifeline after his failed attempt to secure the House of Representatives ticket under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019.

Akuyam expressed his disappointment that Dogara, having been rehabilitated by Mohammed, has now turned against his benefactor. He stated, “It is ironic that a man who was politically stranded, had to be rehabilitated by Bala Mohammed, yet today, he turns around to malign his benefactor.”

Commenting on the rift between Governor Bala Mohammed and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, Akuyam described the conflict as a battle between institutional governance and personal loyalty. “Bala Mohammed’s ‘crime’ is insisting on strong institutions over strong individuals. If that is an offense, then let history judge,” he asserted.

Akuyam also criticized Dogara for what he described as the ex-speaker’s political maneuvering, claiming that Dogara only aligns with politicians when there are financial benefits at stake. He lamented, “For a man like Dogara, who was fortunate to rise politically at a young age, it is disappointing to see him squander his potential on self-conceit and inconsistency.”

In a statement titled “Bala Vs. Wike: Because I Am Involved,” Akuyam accused Dogara of spreading “wild inconsistencies and falsehoods” regarding claims that Wike manipulated the PDP primaries to favor Governor Bala Mohammed. Akuyam dismissed Dogara’s intervention as a desperate attempt to rewrite history and align himself with political benefactors for personal gain.

Dogara had previously alleged that Wike had influenced the appointment of Chief Dan Orbih to oversee Bauchi’s 2018 PDP primaries, which he claimed helped secure Bala Mohammed’s victory. However, Akuyam refuted this, asserting that while Wike had played a role as a stakeholder, Bala Mohammed had already established considerable political support within the PDP. “To paint Bala Mohammed as a helpless politician who needed Wike’s deliverance is nothing short of a figment of Dogara’s imagination,” Akuyam stated. He challenged Dogara to provide evidence if he had any witnesses to support his claims.

Akuyam further criticized Dogara for inflating his own political importance and failing to secure his All Progressives Congress (APC) party nomination in 2019, despite his early rise in politics.

The ongoing dispute between Governor Bala Mohammed and Minister Nyesom Wike has been tied to the PDP leadership crisis, with accusations of betrayal and hypocrisy. Mohammed has accused Wike of aligning with the APC, while Wike has fired back, calling Mohammed a hypocrite. The disagreement also involves tensions related to the ongoing crisis in Rivers State.