APC national secretary asks Wike to resign over party interference

The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to resign from the Federal Executive Council, accusing him of meddling in the internal affairs of the ruling party.

In a statement issued on Monday, Basiru said Wike had launched what he described as an “unwarranted tirade” against him over his position that the governors of the APC should be accorded due respect as leaders of the party in their respective states.

Basiru argued that available party records show that Wike is not a registered member of the APC and therefore lacks the authority to speak on, or influence, issues relating to the party’s structure, particularly in Rivers State.

He also faulted Wike’s reported allegation that APC leaders were scrambling for a N600 billion largesse in Rivers State, describing the claim as “cheap blackmail.”

The APC secretary said he was ready to challenge such allegations in court if necessary.

Responding to what he termed veiled threats from the FCT minister, Basiru said he would not be intimidated, insisting that Wike’s support for President Bola Tinubu does not automatically make him a member of the APC.

He warned that attempts to “destabilise” the party in Rivers State would not be tolerated.

Basiru concluded by urging Wike to step down from his ministerial role if he intends to continue playing an active role in partisan disputes, saying it would be more “honourable” for the minister to focus on party politics outside government.