Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has warned Ajibola Basiru, National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) not to meddle in the politics of Rivers State.
He gave the warning while on a visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State on January 5, 2026.
Wike, while speaking to a large crowd of supporters, advised Basiru to stay clear of Rivers politics and stop meddling in things he has no understanding of.
“I say it here, Victor (Giadom), Tony Okocha (Rivers APC chairman), I want to say it here. Take this message, tell your national secretary, ‘leave Rivers State alone. Go and ask those who have tried it before. Don’t take our support for Mr. President for granted. You have to be careful the statement 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,” he said.
Wike, while speaking on the comment made by the APC National Secretary, said the warning is serious. He said Ajibola Basiru must learn from the experiences of others who had attempted to meddle in the situation in Rivers State.
Read also: Resign as minister and face Rivers politics, Basiru tells Wike
“When Mr. President comes back, when I see the Minister of Blue Economy, I will tell them to tell him. Go and ask other people what has happened to them before. Carrying your hand to come to Rivers State, if your hand bumps, don’t say na me burn o.
“I can challenge anybody. This state is a no-go area, whether you like it or don’t like it. So, take the one you are taking. Stop making unnecessary comments. If not, when I come out, when I come out, when I come out,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ngozi Ordu, Deputy Governor of Rivers State, and Benibo Anabraba, secretary to the state government, have dumped the People’s Democratic Party for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ordu and Anabraba, who registered at their separate wards, in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni and Akuku-Toru local government areas respectively, announced their membership of the All Progressives Congress on Monday.
The deputy governor said her decision to decamp to the APC follows her boss’ (Siminalayi Fubara) earlier defection and support for President Bola Tinubu.
