Dogara Joins Bala-Wike Rift, Accuses Governor of Lying About Campaign Finances
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has alleged that Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), played a key role in helping Governor Bala Mohammed secure the PDP’s gubernatorial ticket for Bauchi State in 2018.
In a statement titled ‘Governor Bala vs HE Wike: Let the Truth be Told’, Dogara claimed that Wike not only facilitated Mohammed’s ticket but also provided financial and logistical support for his campaign.
According to Dogara, in 2018, when the PDP primaries were fast approaching, he turned to Wike for help. “I had called Wike to plead with him to help us in Bauchi without necessarily disclosing to him that it was Bala Mohammed we wanted delivered,” Dogara explained. Wike reportedly responded that he was unsure about the process but would help regardless.
Dogara went on to detail how Wike arranged for Chief Dan Osi Orbih to serve as the Chairman of the PDP primaries panel. When logistical challenges arose, Wike provided a private jet to transport Orbih to and from Bauchi. Dogara asserted that Wike bore all costs for the operation, despite having no personal interest in the outcome.
The former Speaker further criticized Bala Mohammed, claiming that after winning the PDP ticket, the governor falsely promised to sponsor party candidates but later revealed he had no funds for his own campaign. “It turned out Bala Mohammed had lied to us about his financial capacity,” Dogara said.
When the fundraising event Dogara organized for Mohammed’s campaign only raised a fraction of its costs, Dogara and others again turned to Wike for assistance. Wike allegedly gave the financial aid needed, even though he had personal grievances with Mohammed from their time as ministers under President Goodluck Jonathan. Dogara recalled how Wike had been mistreated by Mohammed, who had refused to allocate a land plot to him and had humiliated him in his office.
Despite their past tensions, Wike agreed to assist Mohammed with campaign funding and logistics, offering not only cash but also a private jet for travel. “Wike gave us the lifeline we needed to kick start Bala’s campaigns,” Dogara said.
Dogara expressed astonishment at how, after receiving such significant support, Bala Mohammed now criticizes Wike, calling him a “transactional politician” and a “dead wood.” He questioned the governor’s ingratitude, reminding him of the time when he publicly praised Wike for his leadership qualities, only to later disparage him once the benefits stopped.
The former Speaker concluded by urging Bala Mohammed to reflect on the golden adage: “You don’t attempt to break the calabash from which you once sucked honey,” warning that power can be a dangerous thing when wielded without gratitude.
