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By Oscar Okhifo, Abuja
The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajibola Basiru, has fired back at Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, saying his support for President Bola Tinubu does not make him a member of the party.
Basiru added that Wike lacks the authority to meddle in APC affairs and dismissed his claims over Rivers State funds as “cheap blackmail.”
Wike, during a thank-you visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area in Rivers State, had warned Basiru to stay out of the state’s politics.
He cautioned the APC National Secretary against making reckless statements and alleged that some political actors were exploiting the N600 billion reportedly left in the state’s coffers.
Reacting, Basiru said that as APC National Secretary, it is his duty to protect the party and its members.
He stressed that Wike is not an APC member and therefore lacks the authority to interfere in party affairs.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Monday, Basiru dismissed Wike’s allegations as “cheap blackmail” and accused him of overplaying his political influence. He said: “My attention has been drawn to the tirade of the Minister of the FCT against my person and my office as the National Secretary of the APC.
“This is as regards my position that all members of the NWC must accord any sitting Governor his due respect and that the governors remain the leaders of the Party in their States. It is shocking that such an innocuous statement can elicit such uncouth responses from no less than a member of the Federal Executive Council.”
“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 of our Party.
“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.” He said.
“I also take exception to Wike’s 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 and track-record is that of unquestionable integrity and I challenge him to prove his allegations or we may meet in court.
“As to his veiled threat against me, let me remind Wike that he is not God and may be overplaying his political card. My faith is in God and I will not succumb to cheap threats such as the one from Wike. I am one of the young Nigerians that confronted Military rule, fighting for democracy, when the likes of Wike were nowhere in sight.
“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 destabilize our Party in Rivers State will not be tolerated and he cannot bring the spirit of PDP into the APC.”
Basiru warned Wike that he cannot serve in an APC-led government while creating confusion within the party. He added that the “honourable thing” for Wike to do would be to resign from his ministerial position if he wishes to interfere in party affairs.