The leader of Nigeria’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bala Mohammed, has dismissed a threat made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as mere frustration. Wike had warned PDP governors to avoid interfering in party matters in Rivers State, threatening to “put fire in their states.”

Speaking during a visit to the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP in Bauchi on Tuesday, Mohammed, the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, said that Bauchi State is resilient and peaceful, and that no one can destabilize the party’s leadership. He acknowledged that there have been misunderstandings within the party, but emphasized that there are no personal rifts between him and Wike.

Mohammed’s comments came in response to Wike’s statement, made during the PDP’s state congress in Port Harcourt, which warned governors against interfering in party matters in Rivers State. Wike’s statement was seen as a veiled threat to truncate the existing peace in the state.

In his address to the NWC, Mohammed praised the party’s leadership for its commitment to upholding the values set by the party’s founding fathers. He emphasized the importance of dialogue, rule of law, and mutual respect within the party, and commended the NWC members for their roles in ensuring stability in the party despite the challenges it faces.

Mohammed also expressed his confidence in the PDP’s ability to overcome internal crises through effective leadership. He congratulated Governor Bala on his achievements in Bauchi, and highlighted the governor’s outstanding leadership and performance, including the newly constructed state secretariat and various development projects.

Speaking on behalf of the NWC, Kamaludeen Adeyemi, the National Legal Adviser of the party, extended the party’s goodwill and congratulated Governor Bala on his achievements in Bauchi.