The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has called for the immediate resignation of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, accusing him of attempting to destabilize the party’s internal structures.
In a strongly worded statement released on Monday, Basiru asserted that Wike, who remains a member of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), lacks the legal standing to interfere in the internal affairs of the APC.
“Our records indicate that Minister Nyesom Wike is not a member of our party; therefore, he lacks the locus to dabble into the affairs of the APC,” Basiru stated. He emphasized that while Wike supported President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s election, such support does not automatically confer party membership or the right to influence party leadership in Rivers State.
Dispute Over Rivers Leadership
The friction escalated following Basiru’s recent directive that the APC National Working Committee (NWC) must recognize sitting governors as the leaders of the party in their respective states. Wike, the immediate past governor of Rivers State, had previously warned Basiru to “stay off” Rivers politics during a public event in the Oyigbo Local Government Area.
Responding to Wike’s comments, which he described as a “tirade” and “uncouth,” Basiru maintained that his responsibilities as National Secretary are nationwide and not restricted to his home state of Osun.
Blackmail Allegations and Legal Threats
The conflict took a personal turn as Basiru addressed Wike’s claims regarding a purported N600 billion “largesse” in Rivers State. Wike had alleged that some APC leaders were “scrambling” for state funds, a claim Basiru dismissed as “cheap blackmail.”
“My background and track record are of unquestionable integrity,” Basiru said. “I challenge him to prove these allegations, or we may meet in court.”
Call for Resignation
Basiru concluded by suggesting that Wike’s dual role—serving in an APC cabinet while allegedly undermining the party’s interests—is untenable.
“The honourable thing to do is to resign his appointment as Minister,” Basiru added. “He cannot be in the Federal Executive Council of an APC government and be causing confusion within any organ or structure of the party at any level.”
As of Tuesday morning, the FCT Minister’s office has not issued an official rebuttal to the call for his resignation.
