The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has strongly criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, urging him to resign from his ministerial position and concentrate on what he described as his “obsession with Rivers State politics and the APC.”
In a statement released on Monday, Basiru dismissed Wike’s involvement in internal APC matters, stressing that the former Rivers State governor has no authority or standing to comment on the affairs of the ruling party until he formally becomes a member. According to Basiru, Wike’s continued comments and perceived interference amount to an overreach, given that he does not belong to the party.
Basiru stated unequivocally that Wike lacks the locus to engage with or criticise his activities, either in Rivers State or elsewhere in the country. He emphasised that his role as National Secretary of the APC places him at the centre of the party’s national operations, contrary to what he described as Wike’s “wrong impression” that his responsibilities are limited to Osun State.
“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,” Basiru said. “My activities are not confined to Osun State. I am the head of the National Secretariat of the APC.”
The APC scribe further rejected claims attributed to Wike suggesting that he was motivated by the reported N600 billion in the coffers of the Rivers State Government. Basiru described such assertions as baseless and insulting, insisting that his political career has been guided by integrity, principle, and commitment to public service.
He maintained that he is not an opportunist and has consistently taken firm and principled positions on national issues, regardless of whose interests were affected. Basiru stressed that his record speaks for itself and should not be questioned by someone who is not a member of the party he serves.
“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,” he said. “I am not an opportunist, and I have never shied away from taking principled positions on any matter, no matter whose ox is gored.”
Addressing what he described as veiled threats from the FCT minister, Basiru said he remains unfazed, noting that his confidence is rooted in his faith and long history of political activism. He recalled his involvement in struggles against military dictatorship in Nigeria, stating that such experiences have made him resilient and impossible to intimidate.
“I am one of the young Nigerians that confronted military dictatorship. I can’t be bullied by anybody, no matter how highly placed,” he declared. “My records as National Secretary are above board, and I can’t be queried by somebody who isn’t a member of APC.”
Basiru concluded his statement with a direct piece of advice to Wike, calling on him to step down as Minister of the FCT and focus fully on Rivers State politics, which he suggested has remained Wike’s primary preoccupation. The exchange reflects ongoing political tensions and underscores the growing debate over party loyalty, influence, and boundaries within Nigeria’s political landscape.
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