The National Secretary of Nigeria’s governing All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajibola Basiru, has told FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to resign his cabinet position if he cannot let go of his “obsession” with Rivers State politics.
The exchange marks a significant escalation in the row between the APC leadership and Mr Wike, a member of the opposition PDP who currently serves in President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
‘No locus’ to intervene
In a strongly worded statement on Monday, Mr Basiru dismissed the minister’s recent warnings for him to stay out of Rivers State affairs, insisting that Mr Wike has no standing to dictate the activities of the governing party.
“From my record, he isn’t a member of APC. I don’t see which authority or temerity he has to be dabbling into APC affairs,” the party secretary said.
He further challenged the minister’s role in the federal government, saying: “My advice to him is that he should resign as Minister and face his obsession with Rivers politics.”
War of words
The dispute was ignited after Mr. Basiru expressed support for the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, who has been locked in a bitter political struggle with his predecessor, Mr Wike.
Speaking at a “thank-you” rally in Rivers State on Monday, Mr. Wike had issued a stern warning to the APC scribe:
“Take this message to your National Secretary: leave Rivers State alone. Please don’t take our support for Mr President for granted. You have to be careful with the statements you make.”
Mr. Wike also alluded to external figures being interested in the state’s ₦600bn allocation—a claim Mr. Basiru dismissed as “baseless.”
Key Points of the Dispute
- Party Loyalty: Basiru maintains that as APC National Secretary, his authority extends nationwide, while Wike remains a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
- The Fubara Factor: The APC leadership has recently cautioned its regional officers against making derogatory remarks about Governor Fubara, further isolating Mr Wike.
- Allegations of Bullying: Mr. Basiru, a former Senator, stated he would not be intimidated, citing his history of “confronting military dictatorship” as evidence of his political resilience.
A delicate alliance
The public spat highlights the growing tension within the “unity” arrangement of President Tinubu’s government. While Mr. Wike was instrumental in the President’s 2023 electoral victory, his continued influence in Rivers State has frequently clashed with the formal structures of the APC.
Mr. Basiru concluded by stating that his record as National Secretary remains “above board” and cannot be questioned by anyone outside the party’s fold.
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