The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe at Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, describing him as a political leader without the party strength or structure to produce a successor.

Wike spoke on Thursday during a thank-you visit to Abua-Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he addressed party leaders, supporters and political stakeholders.

The former Rivers State governor said the political crisis confronting Bauchi State was a consequence of weak leadership and internal contradictions within the ruling party.

According to him, Governor Mohammed had previously attempted to interfere in the political affairs of Rivers State, a move he said he firmly resisted.

“Bala Mohammed came to my state and wanted to impose party leadership. I warned him to be careful and to leave my state alone. I told him there would be consequences, and today, he does not even have a party to produce a successor,” Wike said.

Reacting to allegations that he instigated political instability in Bauchi State, the FCT minister dismissed the claims as baseless.

“He said all the problems he is facing are because of me — that I claimed I would put fire there. If you have such power, go ahead and use it. Face your problems,” he added.

Wike advised political leaders to understand their limits and avoid needless confrontations.

“If you know you do not have the strength to fight, why don’t you retreat? Why create problems you cannot manage?” he asked.

He also responded to personal attacks against him, including claims that he was “semi-illiterate” and once a motor washer, saying such remarks did not diminish his political accomplishments.

“I have no problem with that. At least I am semi-literate and not completely illiterate. Someone who washed cars became chairman of a local government, governor of one of the most important states in Nigeria, and a two-time minister,” he said.

The minister challenged former lawmakers critical of him to publicly account for their stewardship while in office.

“If you were a senator for eight years, tell your people what you did. That is not abuse; that is accountability,” Wike stated.

Defending his continued support for President Bola Tinubu, Wike said Rivers State had benefitted immensely under the current administration.

“The appointments Rivers State has received under President Tinubu have never happened in the history of this state. That is why I can boldly tell Rivers people to support him,” he said.

He stressed that political choices should be driven by conscience, principles and performance rather than convenience.

“Yes, we need money, but we cannot sell our conscience. We will always do the right thing,” he added.

Wike further criticised politicians who align with every government without principles, describing such behaviour as a failure of leadership.

“You cannot be in every government and never see anything wrong. That is not leadership,” he said.

He reaffirmed confidence in his political decisions and record in public service, noting that Nigerians are increasingly judging leaders by results.

“When you tell people the truth, they get angry. But the truth remains the truth,” Wike concluded.