Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has openly criticized the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, labeling him an “undertaker” within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In an interview on Channels Television’s ‘Sunrise Daily,’ Governor Mohammed accused Wike of actively working against the PDP’s unity and overall interests, suggesting that Wike’s loyalty lies not with the opposition party but with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mohammed emphasized his belief that Wike is not a genuine PDP member, stating, “Wike is an undertaker in our party. He is not there as a genuine member of the PDP, and I fought him.” He further elaborated on his stance, recalling an instance at the secretariat where Wike attempted to assert control, asserting that one cannot be aligned with two political entities simultaneously, which he deems against the natural order of things.

Amidst the escalating internal rifts within the PDP, Governor Mohammed urged party leaders to approach the ongoing leadership disputes with sincerity, cautioning against arrogance and impunity. He warned that such an approach could lead to severe consequences for the party. This sentiment comes as the PDP grapples with significant internal divisions, which have been evident since its defeat in the 2015 presidential election, leading to a loss of power at the national level and the defection of numerous key members to the APC.

Recent developments have seen four sitting PDP governors defect to the ruling party, while the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, reportedly joined the Accord Party. The crisis within the PDP further intensified following the emergence of parallel factions within the National Working Committee (NWC), which issued conflicting expulsion lists. One faction, led by Kabiru Turaki, expelled Wike, former Ekiti State governor Ayodele Fayose, and other prominent party chieftains. Conversely, another faction, reportedly aligned with Wike, announced the expulsion of Governor Mohammed, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, and Kabiru Turaki.

Adding another layer to the political turmoil, Governor Mohammed also accused the Federal Government of weaponizing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He alleged that the EFCC was being used to intimidate him and officials within his administration, specifically citing his refusal to join the APC. This accusation follows recent criminal charges filed by the EFCC against Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, and others, concerning alleged terrorism financing amounting to $9.7 million.

Despite these profound internal challenges and external pressures, Governor Mohammed reiterated his steadfast commitment to the PDP. He maintained that the party’s current difficulties can only be resolved through a dedicated focus on fairness and the strict adherence to internal democratic processes.