Wike, APC National Secretary Lock Horns Over N600bn Rivers Funds

…Basiru: Resign or Keep Off APC Affairs

By John Paul

The simmering political crisis in Rivers State escalated further on Monday after the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, dismissed as “cheap blackmail” allegations by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, that APC leaders were scrambling for a purported ₦600 billion in Rivers State funds.

Basiru’s remarks, coming amid the prolonged feud between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Wike, set the tone for a sharp public exchange that drew the APC national leadership directly into the deepening Rivers political conflict.

In a strongly worded statement issued in Abuja, Basiru warned Wike to desist from interfering in the internal affairs of the ruling party, insisting that the FCT minister should resign from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet if he could not stop actions capable of destabilising the APC.

The APC scribe said Wike’s conduct was incompatible with his continued stay in an APC-led Federal Government, accusing him of using the leverage of public office to foment confusion within the party.

“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,” Basiru said, adding that “the honourable thing to do is to resign.”

Basiru explained that his response followed what he described as a “tirade” by Wike against his person and office after he insisted that members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) must accord sitting governors due respect as leaders of the party in their respective states.

He expressed surprise that what he described as an “innocuous statement” on party protocol could provoke “uncouth responses” from a serving member of the Federal Executive Council.

The APC National Secretary also questioned Wike’s standing within the party, stating that APC records did not list the FCT minister as a registered member.

“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,” Basiru said.

Earlier on Monday, Wike had warned Basiru to stay clear of Rivers State politics. Speaking during a thank-you visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area, the former Rivers governor accused unnamed political actors of exploiting the alleged ₦600 billion left in the state’s coffers to make reckless comments about Rivers affairs.

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

Reacting to Giadom’s comments, Basiru had publicly rebuked the APC chieftain, insisting that the office of the governor must be respected regardless of political differences.

“The office of the governor is an exalted position, and whoever is occupying it must be respected,” Basiru wrote in a Facebook post on Sunday.

Wike, however, rejected the intervention and declared Rivers State a “no-go area” for political interference, warning that those who ignored his message could face consequences. He cautioned that the APC should not take Rivers’ political support for President Tinubu for granted.

Responding on Monday, Basiru maintained that his comments did not amount to interference in Rivers State affairs but were part of his constitutional responsibility as APC national secretary.

“My duty to protect the interests of the party cannot be confined to my home state of Osun,” he said.

He again dismissed Wike’s allegations over the purported ₦600 billion as baseless, challenging the minister to substantiate his claims or face legal action.

“My background and track record are of unquestionable integrity,” Basiru said.

Addressing what he described as veiled threats from the FCT minister, Basiru said Wike was “not God” and cautioned that the former Rivers governor might be overplaying his political influence.

Basiru also reiterated that Wike’s public support for President Tinubu did not translate into APC membership.

“Millions of non-APC Nigerians support Mr President. His support is no different,” he said, adding that “the spirit of the PDP cannot be imported into the APC.”