A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, demanding a public apology over what it described as unwarranted and disrespectful comments against the former Rivers State governor.
The ultimatum followed remarks credited to Basiru on Monday, in which he urged Wike to resign as FCT minister and focus on what he described as an “obsession” with Rivers State politics. Basiru’s comments came after Wike had earlier cautioned the APC chieftain to refrain from interfering in political affairs in Rivers State.
Reacting on Tuesday, the Wike-aligned PDP faction condemned Basiru’s comments, describing them as a personal attack on the FCT minister. The reaction was contained in a statement signed by Etim Isong, identified as the factional Zonal Publicity Secretary of the PDP in the South-South.
According to the group, Basiru’s remarks were inappropriate, reckless and capable of undermining the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, especially as the country gradually approaches the 2027 general election.
The faction said it was “perplexing” that Basiru, whom it accused of failing to deliver Osun State for the APC in the 2023 governorship election, would question Wike’s political relevance in Rivers State.
It also faulted Basiru’s suggestion that Wike’s support for President Tinubu was no different from that of other non-APC supporters, describing the comment as evidence of what it termed “amateurish political judgment.”
“To imply that Minister Wike’s support for President Tinubu is no different from that of other non-APC supporters is a clear indicator of amateurish political judgment,” the statement said.
The group further accused the APC national secretary of positioning himself as an adversary of the Tinubu administration by calling for the resignation of what it described as a performing minister.
“Senator Basiru’s call for the resignation of a performing minister like Nyesom Wike portrays him as an opponent of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and an enemy of the Nigerian state,” the statement added.
The faction went on to declare that Basiru was unfit to hold the office of APC national secretary and urged him to step aside from the position.
Issuing a firm ultimatum, the group demanded that Basiru tender a public apology to Wike and the people of Rivers State within 48 hours, warning that failure to do so could result in him being declared persona non grata in the state.
“He has 48 hours to issue a full apology to Minister Nyesom Wike and the people of Rivers State,” the statement said.
The faction described Wike as a national leader of the PDP whose influence in Rivers State politics remains decisive, adding that even the incumbent governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, recognises Wike as the political leader who built the political structure that produced him as governor.
