Nobody can set my state on fire, says governor
Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed yesterday dismissed threats by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to “set Bauchi on fire”
He described it as an empty threat, adding that he has no personal rift with the former Rivers State governor to warrant the threat.
Wike’s warning to the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDP-GF) to “set their states on fire” followed its recognition of Governor Siminalayi Fubara as Rivers PDP leader.
The FCT minister said: “Let me assure all of you, not while we live will anybody take away the structure of PDP from us. But let me tell people, I hear some governors who say they will take over the structure and give it back to somebody. I pity those governors because I will put fire in their states.
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“When God has given you peace, you say you don’t want peace – anything you see you take.”
Wike who specifically mentioned Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, warned that governors who meddle in Rivers would face sleepless nights.
He added: “Whether you are from Bauchi, I don’t give a damn. Whichever state you are from, as far as I know that you are trying to put yourself in Rivers State, your hand will get burnt and you will never sleep in your state.”
Reacting to Wike’s threat while receiving the PDP National Working Committee (NWC), Mohammed clarified that disagreements within the party are not personal and should not be misunderstood.
He said despite Wike’s comment, personal relationship and his commitment to leadership should be affirmed.
Mohammed said: “When we argue, it’s never personal, and no one should misunderstand that. We are united; this is not a splinter group.
“As you can see, we are united in Bauchi. No one can set Bauchi on fire. Bauchi has enough water to put out any fire. My friend who made that comment is simply frustrated. Perhaps, I said something that upset him. But it’s not personal.
“My friend remains my friend, my work is my work, and leadership remains leadership.”
The governor also reiterated the need for party members to unite to prevent the collapse of the PDP, saying that the party was responsible for “most of the development in the country.”
A PDP chieftain and Adviser to the NWC, Kamaldeen Ajibade Adeyemi (SAN), reassured the governor of the NWC’s support
He said: “We believe it is important to stand with you and to let you know that whatever steps the governors’ forum takes, we, the National Working Committee will always be ready to implement them.”
