By Chibuike Nwabuko
The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has launched a blistering response to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, declaring that the former Rivers State governor is not a member of the ruling party and has no right to interfere in its internal affairs.
Basiru said Wike’s public support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu does not confer APC membership on him, stressing that “millions of non-APC Nigerians also support the President.”
“His attempt to destabilise our party in Rivers State will not be tolerated. He cannot import the spirit of the PDP into the APC,” Basiru said in a statement on Monday.
The APC scribe was reacting to what he described as a “tirade” by Wike against him and his office, following Basiru’s insistence that sitting governors remain leaders of the party in their respective states and must be accorded due respect by party organs.
Basiru described Wike’s response as shocking and unbecoming of a Federal Executive Council member, noting that the minister lacks the “locus standi” to dabble in APC affairs.
“For the avoidance of doubt, our records indicate that Minister Nyesom Wike is not a member of the APC,” he said. “As National Secretary, I am constitutionally empowered to protect the interests of the party, its members and structures across the country. My responsibilities are not limited to my home state of Osun.”
He also dismissed allegations by Wike that APC leaders were scrambling for an alleged N600 billion largesse in Rivers State, describing the claim as “cheap blackmail.”
“My background and track record are of unquestionable integrity,” Basiru said, challenging the minister to substantiate the allegation or face legal action.
Addressing what he termed veiled threats from the FCT minister, Basiru said Wike was “overplaying his political card,” adding that he would not be intimidated.
“He is not God,” Basiru said. “Some of us confronted military rule and fought for democracy when the likes of Wike were nowhere in sight.”
Basiru concluded by advising Wike to make a clear choice between serving in an APC-led government and allegedly fomenting discord within the party.
“He cannot sit in the Federal Executive Council of an APC government and use that office to cause confusion within the party,” Basiru said. “The honourable thing to do is to resign his appointment as minister.”
The exchange marks the latest escalation in tensions between the APC leadership and the FCT minister, a key figure in the ongoing political realignments in Rivers State.
