APC National Secretary Tells Wike to Resign, Accuses FCT Minister of Destabilising Party

The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has issued a stern warning to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, accusing him of actions capable of destabilising the ruling party and urging him to resign from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet if he cannot desist.

In a strongly worded statement released on Monday in Abuja, Basiru said he was reacting to what he described as “the tirade of the Minister of the FCT against my person and my office as the National Secretary of the APC.” He explained that his comments followed his earlier position that “all members of the NWC must accord any sitting Governor his due respect and that the Governors remain the leaders of the Party in their States.”

Basiru expressed surprise that “such an innocuous statement can elicit such uncouth responses from no less than a member of the Federal Executive Council.”

He argued that it was incompatible for Wike to remain a minister in an APC-led government while allegedly causing confusion within the party, stating that “he cannot be in the Federal Executive Council of an APC Government and be causing confusion within any organ or structure of the Party at any level, using the leverage of that same office.”

According to him, “the honourable thing to do is to resign his appointment as Minister.”

Basiru further insisted that Wike lacked the standing to meddle in APC affairs, declaring that “our records indicate that Minister Nyesom Wike is not a member of our Party APC so he lacks the locus to dabble into the affairs of our Party.”

Wike’s Warning

Earlier on Monday, Wike had warned Basiru to stay out of Rivers State politics, cautioning him against what he described as reckless and provocative statements. The warning was issued during a thank-you visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area, where the minister alleged that some politicians were emboldened by the N600 billion reportedly left in Rivers State coffers.

Wike’s remarks followed comments by the APC Vice Chairman (South-South), Victor Giadom, who reportedly referred to Governor Siminalayi Fubara as “the so-called Governor” and claimed the governor could not secure a second term without Wike’s backing.

Reacting to Giadom’s comments, Basiru had condemned the remarks as unfortunate, stressing that the office of the governor deserved respect irrespective of political differences. In a Facebook post, he wrote: “The office of the governor is an exalted position, and whoever is occupying it must be respected, irrespective of whatever political differences you have.”

Wike, however, fired back, declaring Rivers State a “no-go area” for political interference and warning that those who ignored his advice could face serious consequences.

Basiru’s Counter

Responding, Basiru said his role as APC National Secretary compelled him to protect the party’s interests nationwide, noting that “my comments regarding the affairs of the APC in Rivers State cannot be an undue interference in the affairs of Rivers State.”

He added that “as National Secretary, my activities cannot be confined to my home state, Osun State.”

Basiru dismissed allegations that APC leaders were eyeing a purported N600 billion in Rivers State, describing the claim as “cheap blackmail which has become his stock-in-trade.” He defended his integrity, saying, “my background, track-record is that of unquestionable integrity,” and challenged Wike to substantiate the allegations or face legal action.

Addressing what he described as veiled threats, Basiru warned that Wike was “not God and may be overplaying his political card,” insisting he would not be intimidated. “My faith is in God and will not succumb to cheap threats such as the one from Wike,” he said.

He also noted that Wike’s public support for President Tinubu did not equate to APC membership, stressing that “his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu does not automatically make him a member of the APC.”

Basiru concluded by warning that any attempt by Wike to destabilise the APC in Rivers State “will not be tolerated,” adding that “he cannot bring the spirit of PDP into the APC.”

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