The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Ajibola Basiru, has called on Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to resign and stop interfering in APC affairs, warning him to end his focus on Rivers State politics.
Basiru made the remarks in a statement on Monday, January 5, insisting that Wike has no authority to involve himself in party matters until he formally joins the APC.
He also dismissed claims that he was motivated by the ₦600 billion in Rivers State coffers, asserting that he has always acted with integrity.
“From my record, he (Wike) isn’t a member of APC. I don’t see which authority or temerity he has to be dabbling in APC affairs,” Basiru said.
“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.
“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.”
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Basiru also rejected suggestions that he was interested in Rivers State funds.
“Secondly, 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 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 said.
Responding to Wike’s veiled threat, Basiru added, “I am a believer in God, that only God can do something for anybody, no matter how highly placed. I am one of the young Nigerians that 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.
“Finally, my advice to him is that he should resign as Minister and face his obsession with Rivers politics.”