Alleged Terrorism Financing: ‘Clear yourself if you’re clean,’ Wike replies Bala Mohammed

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has rejected claims by Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, that he is behind the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) terrorism financing charge against the state’s Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu.

On Wednesday, the EFCC arraigned Adamu before a federal court over alleged terrorism financing involving about $9.7 million.

Following the arraignment, Governor Mohammed accused the Federal Government of using the anti-graft agency to persecute him and members of his cabinet, alleging that the move was politically motivated and linked to his refusal to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Wike Reacts

Responding to the allegations during a meeting with his supporters in Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State, Wike dismissed the claims, saying the Bauchi governor was unfairly blaming him for every challenge facing 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,” Wike said.

The former Rivers State governor said if Mohammed truly believed he wielded such influence, he should not have engaged him politically.

“If you know I have such power, why are you fighting?” he asked.

Political Fallout

Wike accused Mohammed of previously attempting to impose party leaders in Rivers State during his tenure as governor, warning that such actions would lead to internal crises.

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

According to Wike, the warning has now materialised, claiming that Mohammed is 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 added.

‘Clear Yourself’

The FCT minister insisted that he had no role whatsoever in the EFCC investigation and urged the Bauchi governor to focus on addressing the allegations.

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

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

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

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

Final Word

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

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

The EFCC has yet to comment on the political exchanges surrounding the case, while proceedings against the Bauchi commissioner are ongoing.

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