Christian Youths Ask Wike To Stay Out Of Bauchi Politics

A civil society group, Christian Youth in Politics (CYP), Bauchi State Chapter, has issued a stern warning to the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike.

It asked him to stay away from the politics of Bauchi State.

The group made the call while addressing a press conference at the Police Officers’ Mess in Bauchi yesterday, where its secretary, Comrade Ishemu Taimako Ibrahim, accused the FCT Minister of political interference, abuse of federal institutions, and actions capable of threatening peace and stability in the state.

Speaking alongside the chairman of the group, Comrade James Jondi, Taimako said the recent conduct of Nyesom Wike toward Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State raises serious constitutional and democratic concerns.

According to the group, Governor Bala Mohammed has publicly complained of political intimidation and witch-hunting for exercising his constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of political association, particularly his refusal to defect to the ruling party at the federal level.

Taimako further expressed grave concern over allegations that federal anti-corruption agencies, especially the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), are being influenced or deployed to harass the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance for political purposes rather than through impartial, evidence-based investigations.

The group also decried what it described as the reported practice of invoking, directly or indirectly, the name of the Executive Governor of Bauchi State in criminal investigations, in clear disregard of the constitutional immunity granted to the office of the governor under Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

While acknowledging that no public officer is above the law, the group stressed that law enforcement agencies must not be weaponised as tools of political coercion, vendetta, or intimidation.

“Any such conduct undermines the rule of law, the right to fair hearing, the principle of separation of powers, and Nigeria’s constitutional democracy,” the group stated.

Comrade Taimako reaffirmed that Governor Bala Mohammed enjoys full constitutional immunity and warned that any attempt to indirectly harass, intimidate, or destabilise him through proxies, selective investigations, political pressure, or abuse of federal institutions amounts to an unconstitutional exercise of power.

The group also categorically rejected any insinuation portraying Governor Bala Mohammed as a terrorist financier, sponsor, or sympathiser, describing such allegations as false, malicious, reckless, and completely unsupported by facts.

They noted that the governor has consistently demonstrated commitment to peace, security, and the fight against insurgency, banditry, and violent extremism, both as a former federal public officer and as the current governor of Bauchi State.

According to the group, any attempt to link the governor with terrorism is defamatory, dangerous, and capable of undermining public trust and national security efforts.

CYP warned that the spread of such narratives would be resisted through all lawful means, adding that Governor Mohammed’s administration has recorded visible infrastructural development across Bauchi State.

Taimako stated that under Bala Mohammed’s leadership, Bauchi State has been adjudged one of the most peaceful states in the North-East and Northern Nigeria, attributing this to inclusive governance, religious tolerance, ethnic harmony, and deliberate conflict-management policies.

He cited the creation and actualisation of the long-agitated Zaar Chiefdom for the predominantly Christian Zaar people of Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro local government areas as a key example.

The group warned that any attempt by any individual or authority, including the FCT Minister, to undermine these achievements or foment crisis in Bauchi State would be firmly resisted through constitutional means.

They also commended Governor Bala Mohammed for ensuring inclusive governance, noting that his administration has appointed Christian sons and daughters into key political positions, a development they described as unprecedented in the history of Bauchi State.