The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has criticized Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, calling on him to resign from his ministerial post and focus on his “obsession with Rivers politics and the APC.”
In a statement on Monday, Basiru declared that Wike has no standing to involve himself in any APC political matters until he formally joins the party.
He also rejected Wike’s claim that he is motivated by the N600 billion in the coffers of Rivers State government, emphasizing that he is not an opportunist and has consistently taken principled positions.
“From my record, he (Wike) isn’t a member of APC. I don’t see which authority or temerity he has to be dabbling in 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.
“Secondly, I take strong exception 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.
“As to his veiled threat against me, I am a believer in God, that only God can do something for anybody, no matter how highly placed.
“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.
“Finally, my advice to him is that he should resign as Minister and face his obsession with Rivers politics,” Basiru said in the statement.
