The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajibola Basiru, has taken a swipe at the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, urging him to resign from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet and concentrate on what he described as his fixation with Rivers State politics.
In a statement issued on Monday, January 5, Basiru said Wike had no authority to meddle in the internal affairs of the ruling party, stressing that the former Rivers State governor is not a member of the APC and therefore lacks the standing to comment on its leadership or operations.
Basiru maintained that his position as National Secretary gives him nationwide responsibility, dismissing suggestions that his political activities should be limited to Osun State. He said as the head of the APC National Secretariat, his duties cut across all states of the federation, adding that Wike had no locus to challenge or question him on party matters until he formally joins the APC.
The APC scribe also brushed aside what he described as veiled threats from the FCT minister, insisting that his past as a pro-democracy activist had prepared him to withstand intimidation from any individual, regardless of status. He said his record in office was transparent and beyond reproach, arguing that he could not be held to account by someone outside the party.
Basiru further rejected claims that he had any interest in Rivers State funds, particularly allegations linked to the state’s reported N600 billion allocation. He described the accusation as unfounded and inconsistent with his history in public service.
The statement followed comments by Wike earlier on Monday during a “thank-you” visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, where the minister warned Basiru to stay away from the state’s political affairs. Wike’s warning came after a Rivers APC chieftain and Wike supporter referred to Governor Siminalayi Fubara as a “so-called governor,” a remark Basiru publicly condemned, insisting that the office of a governor is an exalted institution that deserves respect.
