Port Harcourt: Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has cautioned the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Secretary, Sen. Ajibola Basiru, against meddling in Rivers State politics.
Wike issued the warning during his “thank you” visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area, taking exception to Basiru’s recent remarks. Basiru had advised APC South-South Vice-Chairman, Victor Giadom, to stop “disrespecting” Governor Siminalayi Fubara in order to please Wike. Giadom, during Wike’s earlier visit to Gokana, had referred to Fubara as a “so-called governor” and claimed the governor must go through Wike to get anything done in the state.
Responding, Wike told Giadom to caution Basiru, stressing: “Tell your national secretary to leave Rivers alone, and don’t take our support for Mr President for granted. You have to be careful with the statement you made.”
The former Rivers governor also warned politicians allegedly eyeing the state’s ₦600 billion treasury to stay away, describing Rivers as “a no-go area.” He recalled that Rivers’ people stood firmly behind President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 elections when, according to him, “nobody else offered support.”
Wike added: “We made a decision to support Mr President, and that is exactly what we are doing. When we agreed to support Tinubu in 2023, nobody forced us. Now the food is ready, everybody is coming, but when it was hot, nobody said anything. Leave Rivers State alone.”
The minister thanked Oyigbo residents for their loyalty and consistent support. Local leaders, including Council Chairman Okechukwu Agara and Federal lawmaker Felix Nweke, pledged continued backing for Wike. They lamented stalled development since his exit as governor in 2023.
Amb. Desmond Akawor, Chairman of Renewed Hope in Rivers, described the lack of progress as “unfortunate” but expressed optimism that “things will get better with the expected change of leadership in 2027.”
