Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has declared a critical turning point in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) political standoff. He insists that the faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, operates without any legal backing within the party’s structures.
Speaking to Arise News on Tuesday from the PDP national secretariat in Abuja, Governor Mohammed stated that the ongoing crisis within the opposition party now favors the group opposing Wike.
Two Factions, One Party
The conflict pits Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, against the Wike-backed bloc. Makinde, alongside newly elected National Secretary Taofeek Arapaja and other leaders, emerged from the Oyo State national convention held recently.
Conversely, the Wike-supported faction is led by Samuel Anyanwu. Anyanwu, the embattled National Secretary, maintains his tenure is valid until December 8, 2025. Wike’s camp has openly rejected the Ibadan convention’s outcome, labeling it illegitimate.
Tensions escalated at the party headquarters on Tuesday. Governor Makinde arrived with Arapaja and other stakeholders. Their presence was a clear assertion of control by the new leadership. Meanwhile, Wike continued to align with Anyanwu, who insists no new secretary has been validly elected.
Security was heightened at the secretariat. Both factions attempted to access meeting halls, prompting police intervention to prevent clashes.
Mohammed: Wike’s Faction Lacks Legitimacy
Governor Mohammed affirmed the Oyo convention’s legitimacy. He said it produced the new National Working Committee (NWC) and had the full support of the party’s highest decision-making bodies. He argued that the Wike-backed faction lacks the legal authority to challenge the convention’s results.
“We do not believe there is any Board of Trustees (BoT) because that is an illegality,” Mohammed asserted. He urged the media to foster orderliness in the political sphere. He stressed the importance of positive perception over “shenanigans.”
Mohammed continued, “Some people were expelled at a convention. Even INEC does not recognize them. Yet, they are backed by the police to conduct a charade BoT meeting. The NWC constitutes the BoT. They lack an NWC and a constitution. Our constitution is clear; if I am expelled, I am expelled.” He added that the convention involved over 20 states, describing the showdown as one “between good and bad.”
When reminded of Wike’s group’s stance and Anyanwu’s vow to complete his tenure, Mohammed responded, “The Convention has already dissolved his own time. So, the convention can obstruct any NWC anywhere.”
Asked about the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s recognition of the new chairman, Turaki, Mohammed affirmed, “Yes, he is. He’s recognized by INEC because it’s a legal issue.”
He dismissed speculation about INEC’s non-recognition as “a creation of one man called Wike.” Mohammed accused Wike of “polluting the political space” with “gangsterism, animism, and illegalism.” He claimed Wike is not helping the current administration.
“All the governors are here, all the senators, all the members of the House of Representatives. Why is the media backing them, as if they have something in common with us?” Mohammed queried.
He further criticized the police, stating they should know Wike’s group is not a faction. “It is just a splinter group that wants to battle and destroy PDP. They aim to destroy the opposition and, by doing so, destroy democracy in Nigeria. They are illiterate. They are driven by arrogance, illiteracy, and impunity by impulse,” Mohammed declared.
Mohammed confirmed that all convention reports were sent to INEC. He stated, “INEC is not obliged or forced to attend any convention or any political party. Have you ever seen APC doing any conventions? Did you ask them? But they have leaders, and they are recognized by INEC. Why must we be the only people that you assess?”
He clarified that the Constitution does not mandate INEC’s presence. “But we must give them notice. We gave them notice, and they accepted and acknowledged. We have the acknowledgement that they got the notice. If they decide not to come, that is their own free volition. But certainly, we have documents that we have duly notified them, and they accepted.”
Mohammed concluded on the legality of the convention. “The convention is legal. All court orders have been set aside by the courts. We already made a plea, and it has been put aside. So, people should understand our legal system process.”
End of ‘Hooliganism’
Regarding the crisis’s resolution, should Wike’s group persist, Mohammed stated, “They are just being supported by the police, and you, the media, too. You don’t tell them the truth, but they should know that it has come to an end. That’s the end of hooliganism.”
He urged them to leave the party alone. “Must we be with them? Is he not working with APC? Why didn’t you ask him? Why is it moral for him to say that he will be in the APC to destroy us? Is it moral for him to say that? Is it normal that he’s working for somebody, and he said, ‘We will not produce somebody’?” Mohammed concluded, questioning Wike’s motives and affiliations.
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