By Khalid Idris Doya Former Bauchi State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Hamza Koshe Akuyam, has strong...
By Khalid Idris Doya
Former Bauchi State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Hamza Koshe Akuyam, has strongly refuted claims 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, who served as PDP chairman from 2016 to 2024, stated that he had firsthand knowledge of the political maneuverings in Bauchi during that period.
He dismissed Dogara’s claims as “falsehoods and inconsistencies,” insisting that Governor Bala’s emergence as PDP’s gubernatorial candidate and eventual victory in 2019 were not solely due to Wike’s influence.
Responding to Dogara’s assertion that Wike played a decisive role in Bala’s nomination, Akuyam in a press release on Monday, 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 even present at that meeting, challenging Dogara to provide credible witnesses to back his claims.
He described Dogara’s allegations as an attempt to rewrite history, emphasising that Bala Mohammed’s candidacy was the result of a consensus among key stakeholders in Bauchi.
Akuyam also noted that as PDP chairman, he oversaw the “freest primaries” and urged doubters to consult other candidates like Senators Abdul Ningi and Adamu Gumba, who remain strong allies of Governor Bala.
Criticising Dogara’s “inflated ego,” Akuyam accused 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.
On the fallout between Governor Bala and former Wazirin Bauchi, Alhaji Bello Kirfi, Akuyam dismissed Dogara’s claims of betrayal. He explained that Kirfi was not a PDP member and had initially supported a different candidate. He credited Bala Mohammed with restoring Kirfi’s traditional title after it had been revoked by the Emir of Bauchi.
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 on financial gain. He accused Dogara of aligning with Wike for personal benefits while ignoring pressing national issues, such as the EndSARS protests and economic hardships faced by Nigerians.
He warned that unless Dogara retraced his steps, he risked becoming politically irrelevant, much like his new ally, Wike.
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