Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, on Monday issued a strong warning to the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, to steer clear of Rivers State politics, declaring the state a “no-go area” for political interference.
Wike delivered the warning during his thank-you visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he cautioned the APC chieftain against making what he described as reckless comments about the state and its political leadership.
“Take this message to your National Secretary: leave Rivers State alone,” Wike said. “Go and ask those who tried it before. Don’t take our support for Mr President for granted. You have to be careful with the statements you make.”
The former Rivers State governor accused some APC leaders of exploiting the alleged N600 billion left in the state’s coffers to make inflammatory remarks.
“Because you hear we have N600 billion, you come here, you collect, and then you open your mouth to talk anyhow,” he said. “This state is a no-go area. If your hand burns, no be me burn am.”
Wike’s remarks followed comments attributed to the APC Vice Chairman (South-South), Victor Giadom, who reportedly referred to Governor Siminalayi Fubara as the “so-called governor” of Rivers State and claimed the governor could not secure a second term without Wike’s backing.
Reacting earlier, APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru had described Giadom’s comments as “unfortunate,” stressing that the office of a governor must be respected regardless of political differences.
“The office of the governor is an exalted position, and whoever occupies it must be respected, irrespective of political affiliation,” Basiru wrote in a Facebook post on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Renewed Hope Ambassador for Rivers State, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, blamed Governor Fubara for what he described as stalled development in Oyigbo Local Government Area.
According to Akawor, Oyigbo has witnessed little or no developmental progress since the governor’s inauguration, despite reports of substantial funds available to the state.
“Development in Oyigbo has stalled. We have not moved an inch forward,” he said. “The only tangible benefit Oyigbo has received is a commissioner slot. Beyond that, nothing substantial has come to our people.”
He called on the state government to ensure fairness in the allocation of resources, insisting that Oyigbo must not be sidelined.
“We are not asking for favours; we are asking for fairness. Oyigbo people must get their fair share,” Akawor added.
