The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has warned the National Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, to “leave Rivers State alone” and exercise caution in his public statements concerning the state.
Wike gave the warning during a visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he alleged that the APC had benefited from part of the N600bn reportedly left in the state’s coffers.
The minister’s comments followed recent remarks credited to the APC Vice Chairman (South-South), Hon. Victor Giadom, who described Governor Siminalayi Fubara as “the so-called governor” during Wike’s visit to Khana and Gokana Local Government Areas.
Giadom had also claimed that Fubara could not secure a second term without Wike’s support.
Reacting to Giadom’s comments, Basiru described the remarks as “unfortunate,” stressing that the office of governor deserves respect regardless of political affiliations.
“I find it unfortunate that a member of the NWC was referring to a governor as a ‘so-called governor of Rivers State,’” Basiru wrote in a Facebook post on Sunday.
“The office of the governor is an exalted position, and whoever is occupying it must be respected, irrespective of whatever political differences you have,” he added.
However, Wike, in his address in Oyigbo, cautioned Basiru against meddling in Rivers State politics, describing the state as a “no-go area” for reckless political commentary.
“Let me warn those who come to Rivers State, because you have heard that we have N600 billion, you come here, you collect, and you open your mouth to talk anyhow.
“I say it here, take this message to your National Secretary: leave Rivers State alone. Go and ask those who have done it before. Don’t take our support for Mr President for granted. You have to be careful with the statements you make,” Wike said.
The former Rivers State governor further warned that those who ignored the political realities of the state had paid dearly in the past.
“Go and ask other people what has happened to them before. If your hand burns, no be me burn am. This state is a no-go area. Take the one you have taken and stop making unnecessary comments,” Wike said.
Meanwhile, the Renewed Hope Ambassador for Rivers State, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, lamented what he described as stalled development in Oyigbo Local Government Area since the inauguration of Governor Fubara.
Akawor said the people of Oyigbo were yet to feel the impact of governance, despite expectations that the area would benefit meaningfully from the state’s resources.
“We elected Governor Siminalayi Fubara with the expectation that Oyigbo would benefit meaningfully from development. Your Excellency, development in Oyigbo has stalled. We have not moved an inch forward,” he said.
According to him, the only tangible benefit the area has received so far is the appointment of a commissioner.
“There is talk about N600 billion. We are not here to argue figures, but Oyigbo people must not be excluded. If N40 billion was allocated across groups, Oyigbo must not be shortchanged. We are not asking for favours; we are asking for fairness,” Akawor added.