By Jude Opara, Abuja
The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Ajibola Basiru has taken a swipe at the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike over his alleged meddlesomeness in the affairs of the party.
Basiru in a statement on Monday charged Wike to consider resigning his position as a minister and face the politics of Rivers state which he said has been occupying the attention of the Minister.
The APC scribe was reacting to a statement credited to Wike whom he said attacked him following his reaction to the National Vice Chairman (South South), Chief Victor Giedom who made some uncomplimentry comments against Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers state.
He wondered why Wike who is not a member of the APC is interfering in the activities of the party, including his cautioning of Giedom.
“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 regarding 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”.
Basiru further accused Wike of attempting to blackmail him by claiming that the members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC were scrambling over a certain N600 billion largesse from Rivers state.
He therefore challenged the FCT Minister to prove his allegations or face legal actions. He added that supporting the aspirations of President Bola Tinubu dose not give Wike the latitude to destabilize the ruling party.
“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.
“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”, the National Secretary concluded.
