Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has denied claims by Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, that he is behind the terrorism financing case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission against a state official.
The EFCC on Wednesday, arraigned Yakubu Adamu, the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, over allegations linked to terrorism financing involving about $9.7 million. Following the court action, Governor Mohammed accused the Federal Government of using the anti graft agency to target him and members of his cabinet because they refused to defect to the All Progressives Congress.
Wike responded to the accusation while speaking at a meeting with his supporters in Abua Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State. He said the Bauchi governor was wrongly blaming him for problems facing his administration.
According to Wike, Mohammed had claimed that he was responsible for his political troubles because of an earlier comment suggesting there could be unrest in Bauchi. Wike questioned why the governor would engage him politically if he truly believed he had such influence.
The FCT minister also accused Mohammed of trying to interfere in Rivers State politics during his time as governor by attempting to impose party leaders. He said he warned Mohammed at the time that such actions could lead to internal crises.
Wike added that the current difficulties within the governor’s party, including issues around succession, were consequences of ignoring those warnings. He said Mohammed should take responsibility for his political challenges instead of shifting blame.
Addressing the EFCC case directly, Wike said he had no role in the investigation or prosecution. He dismissed suggestions that he influenced the agency, saying the matter had nothing to do with him.
He advised the Bauchi governor to face the allegations squarely and clear his name if there was nothing to hide. Wike also mocked what he described as a habit of blaming him for issues across different states, insisting that he should not be made a scapegoat for every problem.
Wike concluded by urging his critics to stop dragging his name into matters he has no control over and focus on addressing their own challenges.