Time up for Wike as APC National Secretary asks him to resign, stop destabilising Party
By KEMI KASUMU
According to Basiru, “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 National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to resign his appointment if he cannot refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of the ruling party.
Basiru made the call in a strongly worded statement issued on Monday in Abuja, following what he described as persistent attacks by Wike against his person and office. The APC scribe said his comments, which emphasised that sitting governors deserve respect as leaders of the party in their states, were misinterpreted and provoked what he termed “uncouth responses” from a member of the Federal Executive Council.
He expressed surprise that such a position could attract criticism from the FCT minister, stressing that it was incompatible for Wike to serve in an APC-led government while allegedly fomenting internal disarray within the party.
According to Basiru, “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.” He added that the honourable option for Wike, under such circumstances, would be to resign as minister.
Basiru further argued that Wike lacked the standing to interfere in APC affairs, insisting that party records did not recognise the FCT minister as a member of the APC.
The development followed a warning earlier issued by Wike, cautioning Basiru to steer clear of Rivers State politics. The minister spoke during a thank-you visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he accused some political actors of making reckless statements about the state after allegedly benefitting from its resources.
Wike’s remarks were linked to comments credited to the APC Vice Chairman (South-South), Victor Giadom, who reportedly referred to Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, as “the so-called governor,” and suggested that Fubara could not secure a second term without Wike’s backing.
Reacting to Giadom’s comments, Basiru had described them as unfortunate, stressing that the office of a governor deserved respect regardless of political differences. In a Facebook post on Sunday, he emphasised that whoever occupies the office of governor must be accorded due respect.
Wike, however, responded by warning the APC national secretary against meddling in Rivers State politics, declaring the state a “no-go area” for political interference and cautioning that those who ignored the warning could face consequences.
In his counter-response, Basiru maintained that, as National Secretary, he was mandated to protect the interests of the APC and its members nationwide, noting that his responsibilities were not limited to his home state of Osun.
He dismissed allegations that APC leaders were scrambling for a purported N600 billion in Rivers State, describing the claim as baseless and “cheap blackmail.” Basiru also challenged Wike to substantiate the allegation or face legal action.
Addressing what he described as veiled threats from the FCT minister, Basiru said he would not be intimidated, adding that Wike was “not God” and might be overestimating his political influence.
While acknowledging Wike’s public support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Basiru stressed that such support did not equate to APC membership, noting that many Nigerians outside the party also support the president.
He warned that any attempt to destabilise the APC in Rivers State would not be tolerated, adding that the party would resist any effort to import internal crises associated with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into its ranks.
