The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former Rivers State Governor, Mr Nyesom Wike, has warned the National Secretary of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Ajibola Basiru, to “leave Rivers State alone.”
Mr. Wike, who gave the warning during his “thank-you” visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area (LGA), Rivers State, also urged the APC scribe to be careful with statements he makes.
The FCT minister’s comments follow the APC scribe’s reaction to remarks by the APC Vice Chairman (South-South) who described Governor Siminalayi Fubara as “the so-called Governor” during the minister’s visit to Khana/Gokana LGA. He further said that Fubara could not win a second term in the state without going through Wike.
Basiru described Giadom’s remarks as “unfortunate,” stating that Fubara’s position as governor, despite political affiliations, should command respect.
“I find it unfortunate that a member of the NWC…was referring to a governor in our party as a ‘so-called governor of Rivers State’.
“The office of the governor is an exalted position, and whoever is occupying it must be respected, irrespective of whatever political differences you have,” Basiru said in a Facebook post on Sunday.
Mr. Wike has warned that Rivers State was a “no-go area.”
He further asked the secretary to learn from those who previously tried to meddle in Rivers State politics, stating that he could not blame anyone if his hands got burnt.
“Let me warn those who come to Rivers State because you have heard that we have N600bn, 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. Please don’t take our support for Mr. President for granted. You have to be careful with the statements you make.
“Today, you are enjoying in Osun, you don’t know those who did the work. You are opening your mouth to talk about Rivers State. Anything you see, take it.
“Go and ask other people what has happened to them before. If your hand burns, no be me burn am o. This state is a no-go area. Take the one you have taken, and stop making unnecessary comments.”
