Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has accused Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, of betraying the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who allegedly funded Bala’s 2019 gubernatorial election.
According to The Nation, reacting to Bala’s recent comments labelling Wike a “transactional politician” and a “serial betrayer,” Dogara provided detailed accounts of Wike’s contributions to Bala’s political success, in a statement he personally signed.
Dogara began by condemning Bala’s criticism of Wike. “Governor Bala Mohammed’s recent outbursts against His Excellency Nyesom Wike, the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, though not entirely surprising, have only served to expand the vistas of ingratitude and treachery based on what I know,” Dogara said.
He explained that in 2018, during the PDP gubernatorial primaries, Bala’s chances of securing the party ticket were uncertain. Dogara revealed that Wike stepped in, appointing his ally, Chief Dan Orbih, as the chairman of the primary election panel and financing the logistics to ensure Bala emerged as the PDP flag bearer.
“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. His response to me was, ‘Are you sure you are in control of the process 100 percent?’ I said I wasn’t too sure, and he said to me, ‘Leave it to me, I will help you sort it out,’” Dogara recalled.
Wike reportedly provided a private jet to transport Chief Dan to Bauchi for the primaries and bore all expenses associated with the process. Dogara emphasised that Wike placed no conditions on his assistance.
“Wike bore all expenses for the exercise. It’s therefore shocking that this so-called transactional character called Wike did not place any condition whatsoever for his support,” Dogara stated.
After Bala secured the PDP ticket, Dogara revealed that the governor-elect lacked the financial resources to fund his campaign. Attempts to raise funds through a fundraiser yielded only N28 million, which was insufficient.
“Having promised to sponsor all the party candidates if he got the ticket, we were rudely awoken to the reality that Bala Mohammed had no money for his own campaigns, let alone for other candidates of the party,” Dogara said.
Dogara recounted how he and Bala travelled to Port Harcourt to solicit further financial support from Wike. Although Wike initially expressed reluctance due to past grievances with Bala, he eventually agreed to assist.
“Wike gave us the lifeline we needed to kick-start Bala’s campaigns,” Dogara said, adding that Wike also provided a private jet to ferry them back to Abuja.
Dogara questioned Bala’s actions, accusing him of betraying those who stood by him in his time of need. “With all these, my question to Bala is, what happens to the golden adage that you don’t attempt to break the calabash from which you once sucked honey?” he asked.
He described Bala as morally bankrupt, accusing him of a pattern of betrayal that included estranging his political allies, including elder statesman Alhaji Bello Kirfi.
“Bala represents everything but decency,” Dogara said, noting that Wike’s character contrasts sharply with Bala’s alleged duplicity.
Dogara concluded by urging Bala to reflect on his actions, stating, “It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.”