APC National Secretary Basiru Replies Wike, Calls for His Resignation Over Rivers Politics Interference
A sharp political rebuke has been issued by the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, calling on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to immediately resign from office over what he described as persistent interference in Rivers State politics and internal party affairs.
In a statement dated Monday, January 5, 2026, Senator Basiru reacted to what he characterised as an unwarranted verbal attack by the FCT Minister against his person and office, following comments he made affirming that sitting governors remain the recognised leaders of the APC in their respective states. The APC scribe maintained that the remarks were routine party clarifications and should not have provoked what he described as “uncouth responses” from a member of the Federal Executive Council.
PulseNets learned that Senator Basiru expressed surprise that a statement centred on internal party respect and hierarchy could trigger such hostility, especially from someone occupying a sensitive federal position.
Clarifying the party’s official records, the APC National Secretary stated that Nyesom Wike is not a registered member of the ruling party and therefore lacks the standing to interfere in its internal operations. He stressed that his constitutional role obliges him to safeguard the interests of the APC and its structures nationwide, including Rivers State.
“Our records clearly show that Minister Nyesom Wike is not a member of the APC, and as such, he lacks the locus to dabble into the affairs of our party,” Basiru said.
“As National Secretary, my duty is to protect the interests of the APC and all its members across Nigeria. My responsibilities cannot be restricted to Osun State alone.”
Reacting to allegations credited to the FCT Minister suggesting that APC leaders were scrambling for an alleged N600 billion largesse in Rivers State, Senator Basiru dismissed the claim as baseless and defamatory. He described the allegation as a familiar tactic aimed at political blackmail and challenged Wike to substantiate the claim.
PulseNets obtained that Basiru insisted his public record reflects integrity and accountability, warning that failure to provide evidence could result in legal action.
“This is nothing but cheap blackmail, which has become his stock-in-trade,” he stated.
“I challenge him to prove these allegations or be prepared to meet me in court.”
Addressing what he described as veiled threats from the FCT Minister, the APC chieftain said such intimidation would not deter him, noting that political power is transient and ultimately subordinate to divine authority.
“Wike is not God and may be overplaying his political hand,” Basiru said.
“My faith is in God, and I will not succumb to cheap threats. I was one of the young Nigerians who stood up against military rule in defence of democracy when some were nowhere to be found.”
The APC National Secretary further emphasised that Wike’s public support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu does not translate into APC membership, noting that millions of Nigerians outside the party also support the President.
PulseNets reported that Basiru accused the former Rivers State governor of attempting to destabilise the APC in Rivers State by importing internal crises associated with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“His support for President Tinubu does not automatically confer APC membership on him,” Basiru noted.
“He cannot bring the spirit of the PDP into the APC, and any attempt to destabilise our party in Rivers State will not be tolerated.”
Also Read: Wike Warns APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru, Says Rivers Is a No-Go Area
Concluding his statement, Senator Basiru advised that it is improper for a serving minister in an APC-led federal government to use the influence of public office to foment confusion within the party’s internal structures at any level.
“The honourable thing for Nyesom Wike to do is to resign his appointment as Minister,” he declared.
The statement was signed by Senator Ajibola Basiru, PhD, BL, National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress.
