The Senior Special Assistant to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, has criticized Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed for allegedly using Wike as a scapegoat for his shortcomings.
In a statement posted on his X account on Sunday, Olayinka dismissed Mohammed’s claims, stating that Wike’s appointment as a minister under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is not unprecedented. He noted that politicians from opposition parties have historically worked with ruling governments and Wike’s case is no different.
Olayinka accused Governor Mohammed of being “obsessed” with Wike, using him as a distraction from his inability to lead the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) effectively. He further criticized Mohammed for his past decisions, including resigning from the Senate as a member of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) to accept a ministerial appointment under former President Goodluck Jonathan’s PDP government.
In his statement titled “Bala Mohammed and His Obsession with Wike,” Olayinka argued:
“The appointment of Barrister Nyesom Wike as a Minister has remained the only excuse available for the Bauchi State Governor to defend his glaring lack of capacity to lead the PDP as Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum.
“Wike is not the first opposition party member to serve as a Minister, and he certainly won’t be the last.”
Olayinka listed several opposition politicians who served in ruling governments to emphasize his point:
- Late Chief Bola Ige of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) served as a minister under President Obasanjo’s PDP administration.
- Dr. Olu Agunloye, also of AD, held a ministerial role in the same administration.
- Mrs. Modupe Adesanya, an AD member and daughter of Afenifere leader, was appointed Special Adviser under Obasanjo.
- Ibrahim Dasuki Nakande, a member of the ANPP, became a minister under President Umar Yar’Adua.
- Bala Mohammed, as a Senator elected under ANPP, resigned to accept a ministerial appointment in Jonathan’s PDP administration.
- Nyesom Wike, a PDP member, is currently serving as a Minister under President Tinubu’s APC government.
- Bianca Ojukwu, a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), is now serving as a Minister in Tinubu’s APC government.
Olayinka questioned Mohammed’s credibility, noting, “The same Bala Mohammed, who left his ANPP senatorial mandate to become a Minister under a PDP government, is now criticizing others for similar actions. If he had been offered even a minor role by the APC in 2015, he likely would have accepted it.”
Olayinka further alleged that Governor Mohammed’s criticism of Wike is part of a strategy to remain politically relevant ahead of a potential 2027 presidential bid. He dismissed the governor’s aspirations as “dead on arrival,” stating, “We won’t be available to help any ineffectual being launch a failed political ambition.”
The statement concluded with Olayinka affirming that Wike remains focused on his duties as FCT Minister, emphasizing that his track record speaks for itself.
