The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to resign from his cabinet position over alleged interference in the affairs of the ruling party.
Basiru’s demand followed a stern warning issued earlier on Monday by Wike, who cautioned the APC scribe to “leave Rivers State alone” and desist from meddling in its politics. Speaking during a thank-you visit to supporters in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, Wike described the state as a “no-go area” for external interference and warned against taking his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for granted.
The FCT minister also alleged that some APC leaders were scrambling for an alleged ₦600 billion “largesse” in Rivers State and warned that political meddlers could “burn their hands,” citing past political consequences.
Reacting in a statement released in Osogbo, Osun State, Basiru described Wike’s comments as a “tirade” and “uncouth,” insisting they were triggered by his principled position that sitting governors, including Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, must be accorded due respect within the party, regardless of political differences.
“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,” Basiru said. “This is as regards my position that all members of the NWC must accord any sitting governor his due respect and that the governors remain the leaders of the party in their states. It is shocking that such an innocuous statement can elicit such uncouth responses from no less than a member of the Federal Executive Council.”
Basiru further stated that Wike was not a member of the APC and therefore lacked the standing to interfere in the party’s internal affairs.
“For the avoidance of doubt, our records indicate that Minister Nyesom Wike is not a member of our party (APC), so he lacks the locus 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 and all its members and structures.”
He dismissed allegations that he and other APC leaders were scrambling for ₦600 billion in Rivers State, describing them as “cheap blackmail,” and challenged Wike to substantiate the claims or face legal action.
“I take exception to Wike’s reference to a certain ₦600 billion largesse in the state for which I and other APC leaders are scrambling,” Basiru said. “This is nothing but cheap blackmail which has become his stock-in-trade. I challenge him to prove his allegations or we may meet in court.”
Basiru also downplayed what he described as veiled threats from the FCT minister, asserting his faith and political experience.
“He is not God and may be overplaying his political card,” he said. “I am one of the young Nigerians that confronted military rule, fighting for democracy, when the likes of Wike were nowhere in sight.”
He further argued that Wike’s support for President Tinubu did not automatically make him a member of the APC, noting that millions of Nigerians outside the party also support the president.
“His attempt to destabilise our party in Rivers State will not be tolerated, and he cannot bring the spirit of the PDP into the APC,” Basiru added.
Concluding, the APC National Secretary said it was inappropriate for Wike to remain in the Federal Executive Council while allegedly causing confusion within the party.
“The honourable thing to do is to resign his appointment as minister,” Basiru said.
