The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has launched a scathing rebuttal against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, declaring that the minister lacks the authority to interfere in the internal affairs of the ruling party.
Basiru’s reaction followed Wike’s warning that the APC scribe should stay away from Rivers State politics.
In a strongly worded response, the APC National Secretary dismissed the remarks, questioning Wike’s political standing within the party.
“From my record, he isn’t a member of APC.
I don’t see which authority or temerity he has to be dabbling in APC affairs,” Basiru said.
Reaffirming his position, Basiru stressed that as the National Secretary of the APC, his responsibilities are not limited to any single state.
“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,” he stated.
He further clarified that his role places him at the helm of the party’s national administration.
“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,” Basiru added.
Basiru insisted that until Wike formally defects to the APC, he has no locus standi to comment on party matters.
“He has no locus whatsoever to engage me in any political activity that concerns the APC until he joins the party,” he declared.
Reacting to allegations that he was interested in the alleged ₦600 billion allocations of Rivers State, Basiru described the claim as baseless and defamatory.
“I take strong exception to his allusion that I am interested in the ₦600 billion allocations of Rivers State.
My records of service are those of integrity and commitment,” he said.
The APC scribe also dismissed any insinuation of political opportunism, describing himself as a man of principle.
“I am not an opportunist, and I have never shied away from taking principled positions on any matter, no matter whose ox is gored,” he noted.
Addressing what he termed veiled threats from the FCT minister, Basiru said intimidation would not deter him.
“I am a believer in God; only God can do something for anybody, no matter how highly placed,” he said.
Recalling his history of activism, Basiru stated that he could not be bullied.
“I am one of the young Nigerians that confronted military dictatorship.
I can’t be bullied by anybody, no matter how highly placed,” he said.
He concluded by advising Wike to resign his ministerial position and focus on his political interests in Rivers State.
“My advice to him is that he should resign as Minister and face his obsession with Rivers politics,” Basiru declared.
