The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to resign his appointment, accusing him of interfering in the internal affairs of the ruling party and fuelling political tension in Rivers State.
In a statement released on Monday, Basiru reacted to what he described as a barrage of attacks and “uncouth responses” from Wike following his remarks that sitting governors must be accorded respect and recognised as leaders of the party in their respective states.
Basiru said it was shocking that such a “simple and harmless” position could provoke hostile reactions from a serving member of the Federal Executive Council.
Clarifying his role, the APC scribe stated that Wike is not a member of the APC and therefore lacks the authority to meddle in the party’s internal affairs, including issues relating to Rivers State.
“Our records clearly show that Minister Nyesom Wike is not a member of the APC. As such, he has no locus to interfere in the affairs of our party,” Basiru said.
He explained that, as National Secretary, he is constitutionally empowered to protect the interests of the party, its members and structures nationwide, adding that his duties are not limited to his home state of Osun.
Basiru also dismissed allegations by Wike that APC leaders were scrambling for a purported ₦600 billion left in Rivers State’s coffers, describing the claim as “cheap blackmail.”
“My background and track record speak for themselves,” he said. “I challenge Wike to provide evidence of these allegations or be prepared to face legal action.”
Responding to what he described as veiled threats from the minister, Basiru insisted he would not be intimidated, stressing that Wike was not above the law or divine authority.
“I am not afraid of threats. My faith is in God. I was part of the generation of young Nigerians who stood against military rule and fought for democracy when the likes of Wike were nowhere to be found,” he said.
Basiru further noted that Wike’s public support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu does not automatically confer APC membership on him, pointing out that many Nigerians outside the party also support the President.
According to him, Wike’s alleged attempts to destabilise the APC in Rivers State would not be tolerated, warning that the culture and internal conflicts of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) must not be imported into the APC.
In his concluding remarks, the APC National Secretary advised Wike to choose between serving in an APC-led Federal Executive Council and engaging in activities that undermine the party.
“He cannot remain a minister in an APC government while using the influence of that office to cause confusion within the party,” Basiru said. “The honourable thing for him to do is to resign.”
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