Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike,and the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajibola Basiru, have exchanged words over Rivers politics.
Wike had warned Basiru to steer clear of Rivers State politics, cautioning against what he described as careless and provocative remarks.
He issued the warning on Monday during a visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, insisting that inflammatory statements by political actors would not be tolerated.
He emphasized the need for respect for Rivers State’s political structures and leadership, warning against unsubstantiated claims and outside meddling.
The warning was sequel to comments by APC Vice Chairman (South-South), Victor Giadom, who recently referred to Governor Siminalayi Fubara as “the so-called governor” during a visit by Wike to Khana and Gokana LGAs.
Giadom also claimed that Fubara could not secure a second term without Wike’s backing, remarks that sparked strong reactions.
But, Basiru described Giadom’s comments as unfortunate and stressed that the office of the governor must be respected regardless of political differences, urging restraint and political decorum.
During the Oyigbo visit, Wike told Basiru that Rivers State was a “no-go area” for reckless political commentary, warning that those who ignored the sensitivity of the state’s politics did so at their own risk.
He said: “Go and ask other people what has happened to them before. If your hand burns, no be me burn am o. This state is a no-go area. Take the one you have taken, stop making unnecessary comments.”
Replying, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajibola Basiru, warned the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike not to bring the spirit of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into APC and should resign his appointment as Minister of FCT.
He berating the Minister, saying Wike’s support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu doesn’t make him automatic member of the party.
According to him, as the National Secretary of the party, he has the responsibility to protect the interests of the Party and all its members and structures, adding that Wike is not a member of APC and lacks the locus to dabble into the affairs the Party.
He told newsmen that Wike is not God and may be overplaying his political card, adding that cheap blackmail is Wike’s stock-in-trade.
He said: “My attention has been drawn to the tirade of the Minister of the FCT against my person and my office as the National Secretary of the APC. This is as regards my position that all members of the NWC must accord any sitting Governor his due respect and that the governors remain the leaders of the party in their states. It is shocking that such an innocuous statement can elicit such uncouth responses from no less than a member of the Federal Executive Council.
“For the avoidance of doubt, our records indicate that Minister Nyesom Wike is not a member of our Party (APC) so he lacks the locus to dabble into the affairs our Party. And as National Secretary of the APC, I am imbued with the responsibility to protect the interests of the party and all its members and structures. Hence, my comments regarding the affairs of the APC in Rivers State cannot be an undue interference in the affairs of Rivers State. As National Secretary, my activities cannot be confined to my home state, Osun State.
“I also take exception to Wike reference to a certain N600 billion largesse in the State for which I and other APC leaders are scrambling. This is nothing but cheap blackmail which has become his stock-in-trade. My background, track-record is that of unquestionable intergrity and I challenge him to prove his allegations or we may meet in court.
“As to his veiled threat against me, let me remind Wike that he is not God and may be overplaying his political card. My faith is in God and will not succumb to cheap threats such as the one from Wike. I am one of the young Nigerians that confronted Military rule, fighting for democracy, when the likes of Wike were nowhere in sight.
“Let me also remind Nyesom Wike that his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, does not automatically make him a member of the APC. Millions of non-APC Nigerians also support Mr. President and his own is no different. His attempt to destabilise our Party in Rivers State will not be tolerated and he cannot bring the spirit of PDP into the APC.”
He cautioned Wike that he cannot be in the Federal Executive Council of an APC government and be causing confusion within any organ or structure of the Party at any level, using the leverage of that same office, adding, “the honourable thing to do is to resign his appointment as Minister.”
