By Khalid Idris Bauchi
Alhaji Hamza Koshe Akuyam, former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi State, has countered allegations made by former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, regarding Governor Bala Mohammed's political rise and alleged indebtedness to Nyesom Wike. Akuyam described Dogara's claims as "falsehoods and inconsistencies," emphasizing that Governor Bala's emergence as PDP's gubernatorial candidate and eventual victory in 2019 were not solely due to Wike's influence.
Akuyam recounted a meeting in Asokoro where Dogara himself was present, alongside Chief Dan Orbih, who was assigned to conduct the PDP governorship primaries. He clarified that Bala Mohammed was not present at the meeting, challenging Dogara to provide credible witnesses to back his claims. Akuyam described Dogara's allegations as an attempt to rewrite history, emphasizing that Bala Mohammed's candidacy was the result of a consensus among key stakeholders in Bauchi.
The former PDP chairman also criticized Dogara's "inflated ego," accusing him of hijacking political coalitions for personal gain. He pointed out the irony of Dogara's failure to secure an APC ticket despite his political stature, highlighting how Bala Mohammed and the PDP provided him a lifeline when he was sidelined by former Governor Mohammed Abubakar.
Regarding Bala Mohammed's relationship with Wike, Akuyam rejected Dogara's claim that Bala had been ungrateful. He pointed out that Bala stood by Wike in the G-6 movement post-PDP presidential primaries but later distanced himself when Wike's agenda became self-serving. Akuyam concluded by portraying Dogara as an opportunist who shifts allegiances based known to him.
In a related development, the Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Abubakar Suleiman, has also condemned Dogara's criticism of Governor Bala Mohammed, describing it as "verbose, baseless, and self-serving diatribe".
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Politics