The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Ajibola Basiru has reacted to what he termed as veiled threats by FCT minister Nyesom Wike, urging him to resign and focus on rivers state politics.
Basiru said he was not intimidated by the minister’s comments, noting that his past political experiences had equipped him to withstand pressure and threats.
He had earlier said in an interview that he supports Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, amid the political rift between the governor and Wike.
The APC scribe also warned the party’s South-South Chairman, Victor Giadom, against attacking Fubara or any other governor, stressing that members of the party’s National Working Committee should remain neutral in political disputes.
Wike, however, issued a warning to Basiru during a “thank-you” visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State on Monday, asking him to stay out of the state’s political affairs.
“Let me warn those who come to Rivers State, because you have heard that we have N600bn, 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. Please don’t take our support for Mr President for granted. You have to be careful with the statements you make.”
In a statement personally signed on Monday, Basiru dismissed Wike’s remarks, saying the minister had no authority to meddle in APC matters since he is not a member of the party.
“My advice to him is that he should resign as Minister and face his obsession with Rivers politics,” Basiru said.
He insisted that his position as APC National Secretary gives him the mandate to oversee party activities nationwide, including Rivers State.
“From my record, he isn’t a member of APC. I don’t see which authority or temerity he has to be dabbling into APC affairs.
“I am the National Secretary of APC and I don’t see any basis for him to be making comments about my activities either in Rivers State or in any part of Nigeria.
“As the National Secretary of the party, my activities aren’t confined to Osun State, contrary to his wrong impression.
“I am the head of the National Secretariat of the APC. So, he has no locus whatsoever to engage me in any political activity that concerns the APC until he joins the party.”
Basiru also rejected suggestions that he had any interest in Rivers State funds, describing the allegation as false and damaging.
“I take strong exceptions to his allusion that I am interested in the N600 billion allocations of Rivers State. My records of service are those of integrity and commitment to service. I am not an opportunist and I have never shied away from taking principled positions on any matter, no matter whose ox is gored.
“I am one of the young Nigerians that confronted military dictatorship. I can’t be bullied by anybody, no matter how highly placed. My records as National Secretary are above board and I can’t be queried by somebody who isn’t a member of APC,” he said.
