Stay Out of Rivers Politics, Wike Warns APC National Secretary

FCT Minister, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, with Rivers State APC Chairman, Chief Tony Okocha (left) and PDP State Chairman, Hon. Chukwuemeka Aaron on Monday morning in Port Harcourt

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has cautioned the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajibola Basiru, to refrain from making comments about Rivers State, warning him to be mindful of his public statements.

Wike issued the warning during a thank-you visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he alleged that some members of the APC had benefited from funds linked to the ₦600 billion reportedly left in the state’s coffers by the previous administration.

The remarks followed comments credited to the APC Vice Chairman (South-South), who had referred to Governor Siminalayi Fubara as “the so-called Governor” during a party-related visit to Khana/Gokana Local Government Area.

The APC chieftain was also reported to have suggested that Fubara could not secure a second term in office without Wike’s backing.

Reacting to the description of the Rivers governor, Basiru described the remarks as inappropriate, stressing that the office of governor should be accorded respect regardless of political differences.

“I find it unfortunate that a member of the NWC…was referring to a governor in our party as a ‘so-called governor of Rivers State’,” Basiru wrote in a Facebook post on Sunday.

“The office of the governor is an exalted position, and whoever is occupying it must be respected, irrespective of whatever political differences you have,” he said.

In response, Wike warned Basiru against interfering in Rivers State politics, describing the state as a “no-go area” for what he termed external political meddling. He urged the APC national secretary to learn from past political actors who, according to him, had attempted similar involvement.

“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,” Wike said.

“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.”

He further cautioned that those who ignore the warning should be prepared for the consequences.

“Go and ask other people what has happened to them before. If your hand burns, no be me burn am o. This state is a no-go area. Take the one you have taken, stop making unnecessary comments,” Wike said.