By Philip Yatai
Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has asked the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Secretary, Sen. Ajibola Basiru, to stay clear of Rivers politics.
Wike gave the warning during his “thank you” visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Basiru had, on Sunday, warned the party’s National Vice-Chairman, South-South, Victor Giadom, to stop disrespecting the Gov. Siminalayi Fubara to please Wike.
NAN also reports that the warning was sequel to Giadom’s comments on Dec. 30, 2025, during Wike’s ‘thank you’ visit to Gokana Local Government Area, where he referred to Fubara as a ‘so-called governor’.
Giadom was also quoted to have said that for Fubara to get anything in the state, he must go through the FCT minister.
Wike, while taking exception to Basiru’s comments, asked Giadom to tell the APC scribe to stay clear of Rivers politics ‘for his own good’.
“Tell your national secretary to leave Rivers alone, and don’t take our support for Mr President for granted.
“You have to be careful of the statement you made,” he said.
The former Rivers governor also warned those meddling in the politics of the state because of the alleged N600 billion in the state treasury to stay clear.
He stated that when the people of the state were struggling to support President Bola Tinubu in 2023, nobody supported them.
The minister, who described Rivers as “a no go area”, challenged those he described as greedy politicians to stay away from the state.
“Take the one 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. When we agreed to support Tinubu in 2023, nobody forced us.
“Now, food is ready and everybody is coming, but when it was hot, nobody was saying anything. Leave Rivers state alone,” he warned.
The FCT minister thanked the people of Oyigbo, noting that there was no time he ‘begged’ them for something and they did not oblige.
Earlier, Chairman of Oyigbo Local Government Council, Mr Okechukwu Agara, expressed his people’s gratitude to the minister for all he had done for them.
“For all that you have done for us, we will continue to support you. Just say the word, we will hear and will do exactly what you want us to do,” Agara said.
Also, Mr Felix Nweke, representing Tai, Oyigbo and Eleme Federal Constituency, assured Wike that the council area would continue to support him, any day, any time.
Nweke alleged that development in the area had stagnated since Wike left office as governor in 2023.
Chairman of Renewed Hope in the state, Amb. Desmond Akawor, said that the absence of development in the area was ‘very unfortunate’.
Things will get better with the expected change of leadership in 2027,” Akawor said. (NAN)
Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq
