The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has issued a stern warning to the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajibola Basiru, urging him to desist from making statements about Rivers State politics.
Wike delivered the warning during a “thank-you” visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he accused some elements within the APC of benefitting from the reported ₦600 billion left in the state’s coffers while still making disparaging remarks about the state.
His comments followed recent remarks by the APC Vice Chairman (South-South), Victor Giadom, who referred to Governor Siminalayi Fubara as “the so-called governor” during a visit to Khana/Gokana Local Government Area.
Giadom also claimed that Fubara could not secure a second term without Wike’s backing.
Reacting to Giadom’s remarks, Basiru described them as “unfortunate,” stressing that the office of the governor deserves respect regardless of political differences.
“The office of the governor is an exalted position, and whoever occupies it must be respected, irrespective of political affiliations,” Basiru wrote in a Facebook post on Sunday.
However, Wike fired back, warning the APC national leadership to tread carefully in Rivers State, which he described as a “no-go area” for political interference.
“Let me warn those who come to Rivers State because you hear that there is ₦600 billion. You come, you collect, and then open your mouth to talk anyhow,” Wike said.
“Take this message to your National Secretary: leave Rivers State alone. Go and ask those who tried it before. Don’t take our support for Mr President for granted. You must be careful with the statements you make.”
He added that previous attempts to meddle in Rivers politics had ended badly for those involved, cautioning that he would not be responsible if anyone suffered political consequences.
Meanwhile, the Renewed Hope Ambassador for Rivers State, Desmond Akawor, expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of development in Oyigbo since Governor Fubara assumed office.
Akawor said the local government had seen little progress and called for fairness in the distribution of state resources, including the much-talked-about ₦600 billion.
“We elected Governor Siminalayi Fubara with expectations of development, but Oyigbo has not moved forward.
Apart from a commissioner slot given to me, nothing tangible has come to our people,” he said.
He insisted that Oyigbo must not be excluded from any allocation of funds, stressing that the community was demanding fairness, not favour.
