The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Bashiru, has defended his remarks on the leadership status of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, insisting that his position was proper and consistent with party norms.
Clarifying the situation following the governor’s recent defection to the APC, Bashiru said all party members, including officials of the National Working Committee (NWC), are required to accord sitting governors due respect, noting that governors remain the recognised leaders of the party in their respective states.
However, the statement drew a sharp reaction from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, who cautioned the APC scribe against interfering in Rivers State politics.
Responding in a statement, Bashiru described Wike’s reaction as unwarranted, stressing that his comments were made in the course of his duty to safeguard the interests, members and structures of the party.
He questioned the basis on which a minister who is not a member of the APC could challenge his authority or comment on the internal affairs of the party.
“For the avoidance of doubt, our records indicate that Minister Nyesom Wike is not a member of our party (APC), and therefore lacks the locus to dabble into the affairs of our party,” Bashiru said.
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He further warned that Wike could not sit in the Federal Executive Council of an APC-led government while allegedly creating confusion within the party’s organs or structures at any level by leveraging his ministerial office.
“As National Secretary of the APC, I am imbued with the responsibility to protect the interests of the party and all its members and structures. Hence, my comments regarding the affairs of the APC in Rivers State cannot be construed as undue interference. My duties are not limited to my home state of Osun,” he stated.
Bashiru also dismissed as baseless what he described as Wike’s allegation that APC leaders were jostling for a purported N600 billion largesse in Rivers State.
“I take strong exception to Wike’s reference to a supposed N600 billion largesse which he claims I and other APC leaders are scrambling for. This is cheap blackmail, which has become his stock-in-trade. My background and track record are of unquestionable integrity. I challenge him to substantiate his claims or face legal action,” he said.
Reacting to what he termed veiled threats, Bashiru said he would not be intimidated, stressing that political intimidation had no place in a democratic setting.
“He is not God and may be overplaying his political hand. My faith is in God, and I will not succumb to cheap threats. I was among young Nigerians who confronted military rule and fought for democracy when some others were nowhere to be found,” he added.
Bashiru also reminded the minister that his public support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu does not confer APC membership on him.
“Millions of non-APC Nigerians support Mr President, and his case is no different. His attempt to destabilise the APC in Rivers State will not be tolerated. He cannot import the spirit of the PDP into the APC,” the statement said.
