Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claim that he was planted by the ruling All Progressives Congress to destroy the Peoples Democratic Party. 

Mr Wike’s comment dogged Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed’s accusation that the the minister was being used to sabotage and destroy the opposition party.

“Regarding the reconciliation, I met with the APC even at the national level. I met with the national chairman of the APC because as a leader, I must open my flanks. I even went to see Mr President three times so that he could be privy to the reconciliation because we have somebody called Wike that is being used to destroy us and in fact causing so much disaffection,” said Mr Mohammed in Bauchi on Tuesday.

The governor also stated the APC was unwilling to accept him despite his readiness to quit the PDP, adding that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) appeared to be a more receptive platform.

However, Mr Wike, who spoke while inspecting ongoing projects in Jahi and Kuje in Abuja, on Wednesday, dismissed the allegation as “embarrassing, baseless and a product of an inconsistent mindset.”

“It’s very embarrassing. He (Bala Mohammed) says one thing in the morning, in the afternoon he says a different thing. But for us, we are very happy that he has told Nigerians who he is —that he’s never been stable,” the minister stated. 

Mr Wike added Mr Mohammed came to him in 2022, asking that President Bola Tinubu, who was the APC presidential candidate then, be supported in the 2023 election, only to backtrack a few days later.

He noted that such an action showed the unstable character of the governor.

He berated Mr Mohammed’s demand for the position of National Secretary of the PDP for his faction, describing him as a “conquered person” who should negotiate from a position of weakness, not by asking for the most important position. 

“You’re already conquered, you lost. You’re talking from a weak point and you want to demand secretary? That is not done,” the politician stated.

Boasting that the recent convention of the PDP had silenced doubters, the minister insisted that the event showed that the PDP was alive and kicking and would fix its internal problems.

Mr Wike also expressed his intention to remain in the PDP and support Mr Tinubu, berating inconsistent politicians for shifting alliances at will.

“I have made it clear, I will not leave the PDP, but I will continue to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. That has always been my position, since 2022. I didn’t hide. Unlike those who will say one thing in the morning and say another in the afternoon,” the minister said.

The PDP has been mired in a protracted crisis with two factions (one loyal to Mr Wike and the other to Governors Mohammed and Seyi Makinde) claiming leadership of the party.

Despite the decision of the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the party to approach the Supreme Court to challenge the judgment which nullified its Ibadan, Oyo State, convention held last November, Mr Wike invited Messrs Mohammed, Makinde and other aggrieved party members to join him in rebuilding the opposition party.