The Bauchi State Governor and 2023 presidential aspirant, Bala Mohammed, has described a former Edo Senator, Ehigie Uzamere, as a disgrace to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Mohammed, a Northern Consensus candidate of the Northern elders, urged the National Working Committee, NWC, to call Uzamere and the campaign organization he represents to order.
He was reacting to a recent statement credited to the former Edo Senator which he described as uncouth, reprehensible, gutter sniping and irresponsible public statements.
Mohammed spoke through the spokesperson of the Bala Mohammed Presidential Campaign, Prof Udenta O. Udenta.
Addressing a Press Conference in Abuja on Thursday, Udenta accused Uzamere of being a meddlesome interloper who peddles political dirt as a way of life.
Udenta said he holds his fellow PDP Presidential aspirant, Atiku Abubakar in high regard.
While restating Mohammed’s sterling credentials and unblemished public service record as a Director, Senator, Minister and Governor, Udenta vehemently called on the PDP National Working Committee, NWC, to quickly rein in such rogue political characters before they inflict damage on the culture of civility and cordiality that ought to define the primary campaign process.
He said: “PDP does not need this type of acrimony now. We are having a family conversation. Unbecoming characters like Senator Uzamere, whose stock in trade is to damage people’s reputation as a means of getting on in life, and indeed the campaign organization they are affiliated to or associated with must be cautioned by the NWC to avoid the situation from getting out of hand. The PDP must rein in those using uncouth language against other aspirants.
“We are not sure who Uzamere is working for but enough is enough. This will be our last studied and restrained response to his unprovoked attack against Sen Bala Mohammed. Next time around we will remove our gloves and go bare-knuckles with such unsavoury individuals and the dark political forces and entities egging them on. Make no mistake about it, Sen Bala Mohammed’s campaign organization has the requisite communication skills, robust energy, intestinal fortitude and intellectual depth to take on such sleazy individuals without minding the consequences to party coherence unless the NEC does the needful.
“Bala Mohammed holds Abubakar Atiku in high regard and is sure Atiku also holds Mohammed in high regard and believes strongly that the effort of political clowns and creatures of the night like Uzamere will not damage the respect the two leaders have for one another”.
Senator Ehigie Uzamere had fired the first savo at Governor Bala Mohammed while reacting to governor’s remark that he will never step-down for Atiku Abubakar in their race for the PDP presidential ticket. Uzamere response was titled “You’re Too Small To Battle Atiku Abubakar.”
Senator Ehigie Uzamere had described such as a huge joke, and insisted that the former Vice President, is not in the same league with the governor.
Uzamere’s statement is reproduced below:
“There is a popular saying that those the gods want to destroy, they first make mad. Those who do not know where the rain started beating them, won’t know when it stops raining.
My dear Gov. Bala Mohammed you “are dancing naked in the market square, and only a true friend will draw your attention to your foibles, as you begin to derail.
“Nobody is against your contesting for president and squaring it off with Atiku Abubakar and others, but you do not have to descend to the level of insult. You have reeled off your pedigree. What about Atiku, are you comparing yourself with?
“Atiku Abubakar is not the best man on earth, but there’s no basis for comparison between you, Bala Mohammed and Wazirin Adamawa.
“You were a Special Assistant to Minister Isa Yuguda appointed by Atiku Abubakar and his principal President Olusegun Obasanjo, who (Isa Yuguda) you betrayed and humiliated.
“Before this appointment you worked with several ministries and we are yet to see or hear of your extraordinary achievement in any of these ministries.
“You became a Senator in 2007, long after Vice President Atiku Abubakar had served for 8 years as VP.
“A senator that almost lost his seat through a recall by his dissatisfied people, but for the saving grace of your colleague Senators who recommended you for ministerial appointment to Goodluck Jonathan, or have you forgotten? I’ll remind you…
“I as convener, together with Senators Emmanuel Paulker, Nasif Suleiman, and Gada formed the National Interest Group (ING), a pressure group that convinced the National Assembly on the emergence of Jonathan as President, under doctrine of necessity.
“To give ING a national outlook, we invited and persuaded you of then ANPP stock, to Chair the Group.
“President Goodluck Jonathan had offered the group a ministerial slot and to save you the embarrassment of a recall by your people, we gave you that slot. This marked a major turning point in your life…
“Before your turning point in life, Atiku Abubakar had won election as Governor of Adamawa State before he left it to become Vice President. Where were you? A journalist chasing scoops from Atiku Abubakar’s office?
“You attended the University of Maiduguri where you graduated with a first degree in the Arts Faculty. Atiku Abubakar attended the more prestigious Ahmadu Bello University and capped his scholarship with a Master’s degree in International Relations from a UK university, in 2021.
“He could have had it easy at his American University of Nigeria, Yola, but he chose to school abroad and task his brain at his age.
“Atiku Abubakar is a successful businessman who has thousands of people in his employment.
“You are yet to tell us about your enterprise and how many in your employ. Atiku Abubakar and his children, do not have any case with EFCC, but you and your son have pending cases with EFCC. Where then is your touted pedigree?
“My dear brother, the country is bleeding under insecurity especially as perpetrated by Fulani terrorists. It is on record that you are comfortable with AK-47 wielding Fulani, and that the Fulani can come from anywhere and settle in Nigeria without legal documentation.
“And you want to be president of this country? It takes more than your self-touted pedigree to lead a complex country like ours, with the misfortune of being comatose in ICU. Our nation, going forward, needs men and women of integrity to lead us, well-groomed and experienced.
“I had expected you to reel off your achievements as FCT minister and Bauchi State Governor. But rather you want to rub shoulders and malign Atiku Abubakar who as at today, is a political institution.
“Real, well-groomed politicians are waiting for you at Eagle Square on May 28th/29th. I hope you didn’t also pick a form for governorship election in Bauchi. If yes, please don’t ever associate the word integrity with your name.
“However, as you have chosen to insult your elders, especially one whom you must have benefitted from at one time or the other, do not cry, when your juniors give it back to you in same measure. Only a true friend will tell you that your mouth smells. I remain your friend as we meet at Eagle Square.”