The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajibola Basiru, has challenged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to resign from his ministerial position and stop interfering in Rivers State politics, describing the minister’s actions as an obsession.
Basiru, in an exclusive interview with Sunday PUNCH, had expressed support for Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara amid ongoing political tensions between him and Wike. He emphasized that he was unfazed by what he termed “veiled threats” from the FCT Minister, insisting that his political experience had prepared him to withstand intimidation.
The APC scribe also warned the party’s South-South Chairman, Victor Giadom, against making derogatory remarks about Fubara or any other governor, stressing that members of the National Working Committee (NWC) should remain neutral in political disputes.
Wike, during a “thank-you” visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area on Monday, had cautioned Basiru to stay out of Rivers State politics, referring to the state’s N600 billion allocations.
Responding in a statement personally signed on Monday, Basiru said Wike had no authority to meddle in APC affairs, pointing out that he was not a member of the party. “My advice to him is that he should resign as Minister and face his obsession with Rivers politics,” Basiru said.
He further stressed that, as APC National Secretary, he oversees the party’s affairs nationwide. “I don’t see which authority he has to be dabbling into APC affairs. I am the head of the National Secretariat of the APC, and my activities aren’t confined to Osun State, contrary to his wrong impression,” Basiru added.
Basiru also dismissed claims linking him to Rivers State funds, describing them as baseless. “I take strong exception to his allusion that I am interested in the N600 billion allocations of Rivers State. My record of service reflects integrity and commitment. I am not an opportunist and have always taken principled positions, regardless of whose ox is gored,” he said.
