A political pressure group, the Apara Committee of Friends, has condemned what it described as an abusive and unwarranted verbal attack on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, by former senator John Azuta Mbata.
The group spoke on Monday during a press conference, where it faulted Mbata’s reaction to comments made by Wike during his statewide “thank you” tour in Tai Local Government Area on December 31, 2025.
According to the committee, Wike’s remarks were intended as a brotherly advice, urging Mbata to engage in national politics befitting his status as a former senator, rather than what it termed narrow community-level politics.
The group said the minister’s comments were neither insulting nor demeaning, but Mbata allegedly responded with ridicule, mockery and name-calling, which it described as unbecoming of a former lawmaker.
It also criticised Mbata for allegedly mocking Wike’s pronunciation of the word “integrity,” noting that pronunciation had nothing to do with literacy or competence, and accused him of avoiding the substantive issue raised by the minister.
The committee alleged that Mbata’s outburst was driven by envy and resentment over Wike’s political influence and rising national profile.
It urged Mbata to exercise restraint, reflect on his conduct and embrace issue-based politics, warning that inflammatory language could further heighten political tension in Rivers State.
The group reaffirmed its support for Wike, calling on political actors to promote unity, decorum and responsible engagement in the interest of peace and development in the state.
