The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday asked the controversial Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ezenwon Nyesom Wike, to resign from his appointment under the APC – led Federal Government to enable hin concentrate on his obsession with the Rivers State politics.
The party said it would not tolerate a situation where Wike while not being a member of the APC in Rivers State, has elected to be instigating confusion within the party organ and structure, particularly in Rivers, warning that his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should not be construed to mean an automatic membership of the ruling party.
The Daily Crucible reports that the Minister of the FCT Minister had earlier cautioned the National Secretary of the APC, Senator Ajibola Basiru, to steer clear of political affairs in Rivers State.
Wike’s warning came on the heels of remarks attributed to Basiru, who had asked the APC National Vice Chairman (South-South), Victor Giadom, not to engage in acts disrespectful to Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, ostensibly to earn a space in the heart of Wike.
Basiru’s remarks came after the minister’s recent “thank you” visit to Gokana Local Government Area.
And while also addressing residents of Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State , Wike called on Basiru and other politicians to desist from actions capable of igniting disharmony in the state.
According to him, both the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were now working towards a common objective of ensuring the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
The minister also viewed attempts by politicians to position themselves to benefit from the N600 billion Rivers fund, warning against politicising resources meant for the development of the state.
Wike said, “Let me warn those who came to Rivers State, because you have heard that we have N600 billion. You come here, you collect, and you open your mouth to talk anyhow.
“I say it here, take this message to your National Secretary, leave Rivers State alone. Go and ask those who have done it before. Don’t take our support for Mr. President for granted. You have to be careful with the statements you make.
“Today, you are enjoying in Osun, you don’t know those who did the work. You are opening your mouth to talk about Rivers State. Anything you see, take it.
“Go and ask other people what has happened to them before. If your hand burns, it’s not me. This state is a no-go area. Take the one you have taken, stop making unnecessary comments.”
But reacting, the APC National Secretary in a statement warned that Wike’s attempt to destabilise the Party in Rivers State would not be tolerated, even as he vowed that the FCT Minister won’t be allowed to inject the spirit of PDP into APC.
Basiru also noted with concern the attempt by the immediate past governor of Rivers State to blackmail him and other party leaders with certain N600 billion largesse in the State, dismissing it as a “cheap blackmail which has become his stock-in-trade.”
He challenged Wike to provide evidence to prove that he and some leaders were scrambling for the alleged N600billion state funds.
He said, “My attention has been drawn to the tirade of the Minister of the FCT against my person and my office as the National Secretary of the APC. This is as regards my 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. It is shocking that such an innocuous statement can elicit such uncouth responses from no less than a member of the Federal Executive Council.
“For the avoidance of doubt, 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 our Party. And as National Secretary of the APC, I am imbued with the responsibility to protect the interests of the Party and all its members and structures. Hence, my comments on the affairs of the APC in Rivers State CANNOT be an undue interference in the affairs of Rivers State. As National Secretary, my activities cannot be confined to my home state, Osun State.
” I also take exception to Wike reference to a certain N600 billion largesse in the State for which I and other APC leaders are scrambling. This is nothing but cheap blackmail which has become his stock-in-trade. My background, track-record is that of unquestionable integrity and I challenge him to prove his allegations or we may meet in court.
“As to his veiled threat against me, let me remind WIKE that he is not God and may be overplaying his political card. My faith is in God and will not succumb to cheap threats such as the one from WIKE. I am one of the young Nigerians that confronted Military rule, fighting for democracy, when the likes of Wike were nowhere in sight.
“Let me also remind Nyesom Wike that his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, does not automatically make him a member of the APC. Millions of non-APC Nigerians also support Mr. President and his own is no different. His attempt to destabilise our Party in Rivers State will not be tolerated and he cannot bring the spirit of PDP into the APC.
“Finally, my advice to Nyesom Wike is 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. The honourable thing to do is to resign his appointment as Minister.”
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