Basiru to Wike: You can’t undermine APC and remain minister

The National Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has urged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to step down from the APC-led Federal Government, alleging that his actions pose a threat to the stability of the party.

Basiru cautioned that Wike cannot remain a member of the Federal Executive Council under an APC administration while allegedly stoking division within the party’s structures.

The APC National Secretary was responding to remarks attributed to the FCT Minister, in which Wike reportedly warned him to refrain from involvement in Rivers State politics.

In a statement personally signed on Monday in Abuja, Senator Basiru said he had become aware of what he described as sustained attacks by Wike on his person and office as APC National Secretary.

He said his earlier comments were intended solely to underscore the need for members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to accord due respect to sitting governors, who serve as the party’s leaders in their respective states.

Basiru said he was taken aback that what he considered a simple and innocuous position could elicit what he described as rude and inappropriate reactions from a serving member of the Federal Executive Council.

He further noted that available party records indicate that Nyesom Wike is not a registered member of the APC and therefore lacks the authority to meddle in the party’s internal affairs.

Basiru explained that, as National Secretary, he is constitutionally obligated to safeguard the interests of the APC, its members and its structures nationwide, adding that his remarks on Rivers State APC matters do not constitute interference and that his duties are not confined to Osun State.

The APC National Secretary also took exception to Wike’s reference to an alleged ₦600 billion largesse in Rivers State, which the minister reportedly claimed APC leaders were scrambling for. Basiru dismissed the allegation as baseless blackmail and a familiar tactic, insisting that his personal and public record is one of unquestionable integrity. He challenged Wike to substantiate the claims or face legal action.

Responding to what he described as veiled threats, Basiru said Wike was not omnipotent and may be overstretching his political influence. He stressed that he would not be intimidated, recalling his role as one of the young Nigerians who opposed military rule and fought for the restoration of democracy at a time when, according to him, Wike was not prominent in the struggle.

Basiru also noted that Wike’s support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu does not automatically confer APC membership, pointing out that many Nigerians outside the party also support the President.

He warned that any attempt by the FCT Minister to destabilise the APC in Rivers State or import what he described as “PDP culture” into the party would be strongly resisted. He concluded by advising Wike that it is improper to remain in the Federal Executive Council of an APC government while allegedly using the office to create unrest within the party, insisting that the honourable option available to the minister is to resign his appointment.