…Wike claimed he was the only Nigerian politician capable of controlling two political parties
RIVERS, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has cautioned the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajibola Basiru, to steer clear of Rivers State politics, accusing him of being motivated solely by the state’s resources.
In response, Basiru warned Wike against attempts to destabilise the party, urging him to resign from President Bola Tinubu’s administration if he cannot refrain from interfering in APC affairs.
During his ongoing thank-you tour of Rivers State’s 23 local government areas on Monday, Wike claimed he was the only Nigerian politician capable of controlling two political parties. At Oyingbo LGA, he said: “Let me warn those who come to Rivers State because of N600 billion, you collect it and open your mouth to talk anyhow. Tony Okocha, tell your National Secretary to leave Rivers alone. Don’t take our support for Mr. President for granted.”
He also criticised statements from other APC figures in the South-South zone, asserting that outsiders were benefiting from Rivers while ignoring the local efforts.
Two weeks ago, Basiru had led a delegation of APC leaders to Government House, Port Harcourt, publicly endorsing Governor Siminalayi Fubara for a second term and praising his achievements, while condemning derogatory remarks made by Chief Victor Giadom, a Wike ally.
Basiru stressed that political loyalties do not justify undermining an elected governor, asserting that “the office of the governor is an exalted position that must be respected, regardless of political differences.”
In a statement on Monday, Basiru said it was inappropriate for Wike to remain in an APC-led cabinet while causing internal party disruption. He stated: “He cannot serve in the Federal Executive Council of an APC government and simultaneously cause confusion in the party. The honourable thing is to resign.”
The APC secretary emphasised that Wike, not being a party member, has no standing to interfere in APC affairs. He dismissed claims of a N600 billion scramble in Rivers State as “cheap blackmail” and defended his integrity, challenging Wike to prove the allegations or meet him in court.
Addressing what he described as veiled threats from Wike, Basiru declared that he would not be intimidated, asserting: “My faith is in God and I will not yield to cheap threats. I am one of the young Nigerians who fought for democracy when Wike was nowhere in sight.”
