Your hands will burn’ — Wike warns APC national secretary Basiru to steer clear of Rivers politics

Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has warned Ajibola Basiru, national secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), against commenting on Rivers politics.

Last week, Victor Giadom, the APC’s south-south national vice-chairman, expressed support for Wike amid the feud with Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, noting that the FCT minister remains pivotal to winning elections in the state.

“To the so-called governor of Rivers state, to win anything in this state, you must go through Wike,” Giadom said.

Discover more
Grilling
The remarks did not sit well with Basiru, who cautioned Giadom against “insulting” Fubara or any governor.

I find it unfortunate that a member of the NWC, who is the vice-chairman of the south-south zone of the APC, was referring to a governor in our party as a ‘so-called governor of Rivers State’,” Basiru said.

“No matter what his allegiances are to anybody, it is unbecoming of somebody holding such a sensitive position, and it should not be encouraged by anybody.”

‘STAY AWAY FROM RIVERS’

However, speaking on Monday at a stakeholders’ meeting in Oyigbo LGA of the state, Wike warned the APC national secretary against taking sides in Rivers politics.

“Victor [Giadom] Tony Okocha, I want to say it here — take this message to the national secretary to leave Rivers state alone,” Wike said.

“Go and ask those who have tried it before. Don’t take our support for Mr President for granted. You have to be careful with the statements you make.

“Today, you [Bashiru] are enjoying in Osun, you don’t know those who did the work. Now you open your mouth to talk about Rivers state. Anything you see, take it.”

Wike said he would meet President Bola Tinubu on his return to the country and, when he sees Adegboyega Oyetola, the minister of blue economy and former governor of Osun, ask him to warn Bashiru to steer clear of Rivers politics.

“Carrying your hands to Rivers state, if they burn, don’t say I burnt it.

“I can challenge anybody; this state is a no-go area, whether you like it or not. Don’t dare. So, stop making unnecessary comments.”

The FCT minister started campaigning against Fubara’s re-election after the governor defected from the PDP to the APC in December.

Wike had accused Fubara of reneging on the agreement they both signed before President Bola Tinubu lifted the emergency rule in Rivers.