The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has warned National Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajibola Basiru to steer clear of Rivers politics.
Last week, Victor Giadom, the APC’s south-south national vice-chairman, expressed support for Wike amid the feud with Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, noting that the FCT minister remains pivotal to winning elections in the state.
“To the so-called governor of Rivers state, to win anything in this state, you must go through Wike,” Giadom said.
The remarks did not sit well with Basiru, who cautioned Giadom against “insulting” Fubara or any governor.
“I find it unfortunate that a member of the NWC, who is the vice-chairman of the south-south zone of the APC, was referring to a governor in our party as a ‘so-called governor of Rivers State’,” Basiru said.
“No matter what his allegiances are to anybody, it is unbecoming of somebody holding such a sensitive position, and it should not be encouraged by anybody.”
However, speaking on Monday at a stakeholders’ meeting in Oyigbo LGA of the state, Wike warned the APC national secretary against taking sides in Rivers politics.
“Victor [Giadom] Tony Okocha, I want to say it here — take this message to the national secretary to leave Rivers state alone,” Wike said.
“Go and ask those who have tried it before. Don’t take our support for Mr President for granted. You have to be careful with the statements you make.
“Today, you [Bashiru] are enjoying in Osun, you don’t know those who did the work. Now you open your mouth to talk about Rivers state. Anything you see, take it.”
Wike said he would meet President Bola Tinubu on his return to the country and, when he sees Adegboyega Oyetola, the minister of blue economy and former governor of Osun, ask him to warn Bashiru to steer clear of Rivers politics.
“Carrying your hands to Rivers state, if they burn, don’t say I burnt it.
“I can challenge anybody; this state is a no-go area, whether you like it or not. Don’t dare. So, stop making unnecessary comments.”
The FCT minister started campaigning against Fubara’s re-election after the governor defected from the PDP to the APC in December.
Wike had accused Fubara of reneging on the agreement they both signed before President Bola Tinubu lifted the emergency rule in Rivers.
Resign as Minister and face your obsession with Rivers politics, Bashiru slams Wike
Meanwhile, Basiru has asked Wike to resign his position and face his obsession with Rivers politics and the APC.
Basiru said Wike has no locus whatsoever to engage him in any political activity that concerns the APC until he joins the party.
He stated this on Monday in a statement obtained in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State.
Basiru also faulted Wike’s submission that he is interested in the N600 billion allocations of Rivers State, adding that he is not an opportunist and has never shied away from taking principled positions on matters.
The APC National Secretary said, “From my record, he isn’t a member of APC. I don’t see which authority or temerity he has to be dabbling in APC affairs.
“I am the National Secretary of APC and I don’t see any basis for him to be making comments about my activities either in Rivers State or in any part of Nigeria.
“As the National Secretary of the party, my activities aren’t confined to Osun State contrary to his wrong impression. I am the head of the National Secretariat of the APC.
“So, he has no locus whatsoever to engage me in any political activity that concerns the APC until he joins the party.
“Secondly, I take strong exception to his allusion that I am interested in the N600 billion allocations of Rivers State. My records of service are those of integrity and commitment to service.
“I am not an opportunist, and I have never shied away from taking principled positions on any matter, no matter whose ox is gored.
“As to his veiled threat against me, I am a believer in God, that only God can do something for anybody, no matter how highly placed.
“I am one of the young Nigerians that confronted military dictatorship. I can’t be bullied by anybody, no matter how highly placed. My records as national secretary are above board, and I can’t be queried by somebody who isn’t a member of APC.
“Finally, my advice to him is that he should resign as Minister and face his obsession with Rivers politics.”
