The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has warned the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, to stay out of Rivers State politics.
Wike issued the warning during a thank-you visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State.
His remarks followed comments by Basiru on Sunday, in which the APC scribe cautioned the party’s National Vice Chairman (South-South), Victor Giadom, against what he described as disrespect toward Governor Siminalayi Fubara, allegedly to curry favour with Wike.
Basiru’s intervention came after Giadom, during Wike’s visit to Gokana Local Government Area on December 30, 2025, referred to Fubara as a “so-called governor” and suggested that the governor could only succeed politically in Rivers State through Wike.
Reacting sharply, Wike dismissed Basiru’s comments and urged Giadom to advise the national secretary to avoid Rivers politics.
“Tell your national secretary to leave Rivers alone. Go and ask those who have tried it before, and don’t take our support for Mr President for granted,” Wike said.
“You have to be careful about the kind of statements you make.”
‘No-go area’
The former Rivers governor also said he would bring Basiru’s comments to the attention of President Bola Tinubu and other senior party leaders.
“When Mr President comes back, when I see the Minister of Blue Economy, I will tell them to tell him. Carry your hand to Rivers State — if your hand burns, don’t say it was me that burned it,” he said.
Wike further warned individuals he accused of meddling in Rivers politics because of the state’s alleged ₦600 billion treasury balance to steer clear of the state.
He recalled that during the 2023 elections, Rivers people stood by President Tinubu when support was scarce.
“When we were struggling to support Mr President in 2023, nobody supported us,” he said.
Describing Rivers State as a “no-go area” for political interference, Wike added: “Take what you have taken and stop making unnecessary comments.
“We have taken a decision to support Mr President, and that is exactly what we are doing. Nobody forced us to support Tinubu in 2023.
“Now that food is ready, everybody is coming. When it was hot, nobody was saying anything. Leave Rivers State alone.”
Wike also thanked the people of Oyigbo for their continued support, saying they had never failed him when he sought their backing.
Earlier, the Chairman of Oyigbo Local Government Council, Okechukwu Agara, expressed appreciation to the minister on behalf of the community.
“For all that you have done for us, we will continue to support you. Just say the word, and we will do exactly what you want us to do,” Agara said.
