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

In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday, January 5, 2026, Basiru expressed shock over what he described as “uncouth” and “unwarranted” attacks by the former Rivers State governor against him and his office. The APC scribe said the minister’s outburst followed his position that all members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) must accord due respect to sitting governors, who constitutionally remain the leaders of the party in their respective states.

Basiru stressed that Wike lacks the standing to comment on or interfere in APC matters, noting that official party records do not recognise the FCT minister as a member of the APC. He maintained that, as National Secretary, he is constitutionally empowered to protect the interests of the party and its structures nationwide, adding that his comments on developments in Rivers State could not be construed as interference, nor could his role be limited to his home state of Osun.

The APC National Secretary also dismissed allegations attributed to Wike that he and other party leaders were scrambling for an alleged N600 billion largesse in Rivers State, describing the claim as “cheap blackmail.” Basiru said his public record and integrity were beyond question and challenged the minister to substantiate the allegation or face legal action.

Responding to what he termed veiled threats from the FCT minister, Basiru said Wike was overestimating his political influence, insisting that he would not be intimidated. He recalled his own history of pro-democracy activism during the military era, saying he had stood up to authoritarian rule at a time when, according to him, Wike was not politically visible.

Basiru further noted that Wike’s support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu does not automatically confer APC membership on him, arguing that millions of Nigerians outside the party also support the President. He warned that any attempt by the minister to destabilise the APC in Rivers State or import the internal culture of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into the APC would not be tolerated.

He concluded by advising Wike to choose between retaining his ministerial position and engaging in partisan activities capable of causing confusion within the APC. According to Basiru, the “honourable thing” for the FCT minister to do, if he insists on meddling in party affairs, is to resign his appointment from the APC-led Federal Government.