Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has warned the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Ajibola Basiru, to “leave Rivers State alone,” cautioning him to watch his comments about the state’s politics.
Wike issued the warning during his “thank-you” visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he alleged that the APC had benefited from funds linked to the “₦600 billion sum left in the state’s coffers.”
The exchange follows remarks by the APC Vice Chairman (South-South), who reportedly described Governor Siminalayi Fubara as “the so-called Governor” during Wike’s visit to Khana/Gokana Local Government Area.
The APC chieftain also claimed Fubara could not secure a second term without Wike’s backing.
Basiru, however, criticised that description, calling it inappropriate and insisting the office of governor deserves 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’.
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“The office of the governor is an exalted position, and whoever is occupying it must be respected, irrespective of whatever political differences you have,” Basiru said in a Facebook post on Sunday.
Responding in Oyigbo, Wike took aim at the APC National Secretary, warning that Rivers is not a place for careless political talk, especially by those he claimed had come to benefit from the state.
“Let me warn those who come to Rivers State, because you have heard that we have ₦600bn, 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.
“Today, you are enjoying in Osun, you don’t know those who did the work. You are opening your mouth to talk about Rivers State. Anything you see, take it.
“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.”