The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajibola Basiru, has asked the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to resign his appointment, following comments by the minister warning him to stay away from Rivers State politics.
Wike had taken a swipe at Basiru during a political engagement in Rivers State, where he cautioned the APC scribe against interfering in the state’s affairs and alleged that some politicians were attracted by what he described as Rivers’ N600bn resources.
Reacting in a statement issued on Monday, Basiru described Wike’s comments as unwarranted and uncouth, noting that his earlier remarks on party leadership were merely a restatement of established APC principles that accord sitting governors due respect as party leaders in their states.
“For the avoidance of doubt, our records indicate that Minister Nyesom Wike is not a member of our party and therefore lacks the locus to dabble into the affairs of the APC,” Basiru said.
He explained that his role as National Secretary of the party required him to safeguard the interests of the APC and its structures nationwide, stressing that his responsibilities were not limited to his home state of Osun.
Basiru also dismissed Wike’s allegation that he and other APC leaders were scrambling for funds in Rivers State, describing the claim as “cheap blackmail” and challenging the minister to substantiate it or face legal action.
The APC scribe further said he would not be intimidated by what he termed veiled threats, adding that he was among Nigerians who confronted military rule during the struggle for democracy.
He maintained that Wike’s support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not confer APC membership on him, insisting that millions of Nigerians outside the party also support the President.
Basiru warned that attempts to destabilise the APC in Rivers State or import the culture of another political party into the ruling party would not be tolerated.
He concluded that it was inappropriate for Wike to remain in the Federal Executive Council of an APC-led government while allegedly causing confusion within the party, adding that the honourable option was for the minister to resign his appointment.
