Leave Rivers alone or your hands may burn, Wike warns APC Secretary

 

 

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has issued a stern warning to the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Ajibola Basiru, telling him to leave Rivers State alone or risk facing consequences, declaring that anyone who meddles in the state’s politics may get their “hands burnt.”

Wike gave the warning during a thank you visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he accused Basiru of making reckless comments about the state after allegedly benefiting from funds linked to the N600 billion left in Rivers State’s coffers.

The warning followed recent remarks by the APC Vice Chairman for the South-South, Victor Giadom, who had referred to Governor Siminalayi Fubara as “the so-called governor” during a political visit to Khana and Gokana local government areas.

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Giadom had also claimed that Governor Fubara would not be able to secure a second term in office without the backing of Wike, a statement that further heightened political tension within the state.

Reacting to the controversy, Basiru described the comments against Fubara as unfortunate, insisting that the office of the governor deserves respect regardless of political differences or internal party disputes.

“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.

In response, Wike challenged the party leader, warning that the state was a “no-go area.”

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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. Don’t take our support for Mr President for granted. You have to be careful with 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, stop making unnecessary comments.”

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Meanwhile, the Renewed Hope Ambassador for Rivers State, Amb. Desmond Akawor, said development had stalled in the local government since the inauguration of Fubara as governor, adding that the area must get its fair share of the N600 billion left in the state’s account.

“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. The only tangible benefit Oyigbo has received is a Commissioner slot, which was given to me. Beyond that, nothing substantial has come to our people.

“There is talk about N600 billion. Let us be clear, 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 favors; we are asking for fairness,” he said.