The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Ajibola Basiru, has expressed that he remains unfazed by what he describes as “veiled threats” from the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, asserting that his political background has equipped him to withstand intimidation.
In an exclusive interview with Sunday PUNCH, he declared his support for Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara amidst the ongoing confrontations between Fubara and Wike.
The APC scribe cautioned the South-South Chairman of the APC, Victor Giadom, against making derogatory remarks about Fubara or any other governor, emphasising that members of the National Working Committee of the party should not take sides in any political crisis.
During his “thank-you” visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State on Monday, Wike warned Basiru to steer clear of the state’s politics. He stated, “Let me warn those who come to Rivers State, because you have heard that we have N600 billion, 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 response to Wike’s comments, Basiru issued a statement on Monday, advising the minister to resign from his position. “My advice to him is that he should resign as Minister and face his obsession with Rivers politics,” he remarked, asserting that Wike lacks the authority to interfere in the affairs of the ruling party, stressing that Wike is not a member of the APC.
He further maintained, “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.”
Basiru clarified, “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.”
Additionally, Basiru dismissed allegations linking him to an alleged interest in Rivers State funds, stating, “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.”
He concluded, “I am one of the young Nigerians who 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.”
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