The political atmosphere in Nigeria heated up on Monday, January 5, as the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, issued a sharp retort to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Basiru called on Wike to step down from his role in President Bola Tinubu's administration and channel his energy entirely into what he termed Wike's "obsession" with the politics of Rivers State.
A Clash of Political Titans
In a strongly-worded statement, Basiru asserted that the FCT Minister has no authority to meddle in the internal matters of the ruling APC. He emphasized that since Wike is not a card-carrying member of the party, he lacks the standing to comment on its leadership or activities. "I am the National Secretary of APC, and I don't see any basis for him to be making comments about my activities either in Rivers State or in any part of Nigeria," Basiru declared.
He further clarified the scope of his office, countering Wike's apparent impression. "As the National Secretary of the party, my activities aren't confined to Osun State... I am the head of the National Secretariat of the APC. So, he has no locus whatsoever to engage me in any political activity that concerns the APC until he joins the party," the APC scribe stated unequivocally.
Basiru Rejects Intimidation and Financial Allegations
Basiru also dismissed what he perceived as veiled threats from the former Rivers State governor. He invoked his political history, stating his readiness to withstand pressure. "I am one of the young Nigerians that confronted military dictatorship. I can't be bullied by anybody, no matter how highly placed," he asserted. He stood by his record, adding, "My records as National Secretary are above board, and I can't be queried by somebody who isn't a member of APC."
The APC chieftain went further to reject insinuations linking him to Rivers State finances. He described claims that he was interested in the state's alleged N600 billion allocation as baseless and inconsistent with his public service track record.
The Trigger: A Warning from Wike
Basiru's fiery response was precipitated by comments made by Wike earlier on the same Monday. During a "thank-you" visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area in Rivers State, Wike had issued a direct warning to Basiru to stay away from the state's political affairs.
This warning came after a Rivers APC chieftain and Wike supporter referred to Governor Siminalayi Fubara as a "so-called governor." Basiru had previously condemned this description, arguing that the seat of a governor is exalted and must be respected. This defense of gubernatorial decorum appears to have sparked the latest exchange, deepening the visible rift between the influential minister and the ruling party's national secretariat.
The public spat underscores the ongoing and complex political tensions in Rivers State, which continue to reverberate at the national level, involving key figures in President Tinubu's government and the ruling party apparatus.
