Wike to Bala Mohammed: If You’re Clean, Go and Clear Yourself with EFCC

Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), has rejected claims by Bala Mohammed, Bauchi governor, that he is behind the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) terrorism financing charge against the state’s commissioner of finance.

On Wednesday, the EFCC arraigned Yakubu Adamu, Bauchi state commissioner for finance, over allegations of terrorism financing involving about $9.7 million.

After the commissioner’s arraignment, Mohammed accused the federal government of using the EFCC to “persecute” him and members of his cabinet over their refusal to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking in response to Mohammed’s comments at a meeting with his supporters at Abua/Odual LGA in Rivers state, Wike said the Bauchi governor had blamed him for all the challenges confronting his administration.

“I watched what Governor Bala said, that all the problems he’s having, that I’m the one behind it, because I said I’ll put fire in his state,” he said.

Wike said if Mohammed believed he wielded such influence, he should not have confronted him politically.

“So, if you know I have such power, why are you fighting?” he said.

The FCT minister accused Mohammed of attempting to impose party leaders in Rivers state during his tenure as governor.

“Bala came to my state to impose party leaders, and I told him to be careful or else he’ll see crises,” Wike said.

He said the warning later materialised, arguing that Mohammed is now struggling to manage succession within his party.

“Today, he doesn’t have a party to bring his successor, and this is what I warned them,” he said.

Wike said Mohammed should take responsibility for his political problems instead of shifting blame.

“If you know you don’t have the strength to fight, why not go and rest?” he asked.

Reacting to claims linking him to the EFCC case, Wike said he had no role in the investigation.

“Now, EFCC is chasing him and he’s saying it’s me; what’s my business?” he said.

He said the governor should clear his name if there was nothing to hide.

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“If your state is clean, go there and clear yourself,” Wike said.

The minister also mocked what he described as a tendency to blame him for issues across the country.

“Anybody that has stroke, it’s Wike; the ones with headache, it’s Wike; the ones in Sokoto, Wike; you’re in Taraba, Wike; you’re in Lagos, Wike; you’re in Bauchi, Wike,” he said.

Wike concluded by telling his critics to stop attributing every problem to him.

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“Leave this Wike; he’s too strong,” he said.