…You Have No Right To Interfere In Rivers Politics, Wike Fires Back
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has demanded the resignation of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over what it described as persistent interference in Rivers State politics, sparking a sharp exchange between the minister and the party’s National Secretary.
Wike, however, fired back at the ruling party, warning that it has no right or authority to meddle in the political affairs of Rivers State, which he described as a “no-go area” for external interference.
The renewed hostility comes after a brief lull in tensions following the end of the state of emergency that led to the suspension of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Political frictions have since resurfaced, with Wike repeatedly attacking Fubara over what he alleged were broken political agreements.
Sensing that Wike was gaining political leverage while operating without a party following his expulsion from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Governor Fubara defected to the APC. The move, widely seen as strategic, handed Fubara control of the APC structure in Rivers State and firmly embedded him within the ruling party’s political framework.
Fubara’s defection was promptly endorsed by the APC national leadership, a development that reportedly unsettled Wike and set the stage for the current confrontation.
However, in what appeared to be an open declaration of hostility, the APC demanded Wike’s resignation from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet, accusing him of interfering in the party’s internal affairs and fomenting political tension in Rivers State.
In a statement issued on Monday, the APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, reacted to what he described as a tirade by the FCT minister against his office.
In a tone laden with personal response, 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 in respect of my position that all members of the NWC must accord any sitting Governor his due respect and that Governors remain the leaders of the Party in their respective States,” Basiru said.
“It is shocking that such an innocuous statement could elicit such uncouth responses from no less than a member of the Federal Executive Council,” Bashiru said.
The APC scribe stressed that Wike is not a member of the APC and therefore lacks the legal and political standing to interfere in its affairs.
“For the avoidance of doubt, our records clearly indicate that Minister Nyesom Wike is not a member of our Party, the APC, and therefore lacks the locus standi to dabble into the affairs of our Party,” he said.
“As National Secretary of the APC, I am imbued with the responsibility to protect the interests of the Party, its members, and its structures.
“Consequently, my comments on the affairs of the APC in Rivers State cannot be construed as undue interference in the affairs of Rivers State. My responsibilities as National Secretary are not confined to my home state of Osun.”
Reacting to allegations that APC leaders were scrambling for funds allegedly left in Rivers State coffers, Basiru described the claim as baseless and defamatory.
“I also take exception to Wike’s reference to a supposed N600 billion largesse in the State, for which he alleged that I and other APC leaders are scrambling. This is nothing but cheap blackmail, which has unfortunately become his stock-in-trade,” Basiru said.
“My background and track record speak to unquestionable integrity, and I challenge him to substantiate his allegations or be prepared to meet me in court.”
Basiru also addressed what he termed veiled threats from the FCT minister, warning that Wike was overplaying his political influence.
“As to his veiled threats against me, let me remind Wike that he is not God and may, indeed, be overplaying his political cards. My faith is firmly in God, and I will not succumb to cheap threats of any kind,” he said.
“I am one of the young Nigerians who stood up to confront military rule and fought for democracy at a time when the likes of Wike were nowhere in sight,” he stated.
The APC National Secretary further emphasised that Wike’s support for President Bola Tinubu does not translate into automatic membership of the ruling party.
“Let me also remind Nyesom Wike that his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu does not automatically confer APC membership on him. Millions of Nigerians who are not members of the APC also support Mr President, and his support is no different,” Basiru stated.
“His attempt to destabilise our Party in Rivers State will not be tolerated, and he cannot import the spirit and culture of the PDP into the APC.”
Basiru insisted that Wike should resign from the Federal Executive Council if he cannot separate governance from partisan interference.
“Finally, my advice to Nyesom Wike is that he cannot continue to serve in the Federal Executive Council of an APC-led government while simultaneously creating confusion within the organs and structures of the Party at any level, using the leverage of that same office,” he said.
“The honourable thing for him to do is to resign his appointment as Minister,” Bashir added.
The APC National Secretary’s remarks followed an earlier warning by Wike, who cautioned Basiru to “leave Rivers State alone” and urged him to be careful with public statements.
Wike issued the warning during a thank-you visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area, where he alleged that the APC National Secretary had benefited from funds drawn from the N600 billion left in the state’s coffers.
The warning also followed remarks by the APC Vice Chairman (South-South), Victor Giadom, who referred to Governor Siminalayi Fubara as “the so-called governor” during Wike’s visit to Khana/Gokana Local Government Area.
Wike had previously claimed that Fubara could not secure a second term without passing through him.
Responding in a Facebook post on Sunday, Basiru described Giadom’s comment as “unfortunate,” stressing that the office of governor deserves respect irrespective of political differences.
“I find it unfortunate that a member of the NWC was referring to a governor in our Party as a ‘so-called governor of Rivers State,’” Basiru wrote.
“The office of the Governor is an exalted position, and whoever occupies it must be accorded due respect, irrespective of political affiliations or differences,” Bashiru had written.
Wike, however, doubled down on his position, issuing a stern warning to the APC leadership and its officials saying, “Let me warn those who come to Rivers State. You hear that we have N600 billion, you come here, collect, and then open your mouth to talk anyhow.”
Wike warned, “I say it here, take this message to your National Secretary – leave Rivers State alone. Do not take our support for Mr President for granted. You have to be careful with the statements you make.”
“Go and ask others what happened to them before. If your hand burns, it is not my fault. This state is a no-go area. Take the one you have taken and stop making unnecessary comments,” he added.
