Senior APC figure Hilliard Etta has reaffirmed that Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, lacks the authority to intervene in the internal workings of the All Progressives Congress (APC), emphasizing that Wike is not a member of the party.
Etta’s remarks came during an interview on Prime Time, a current-affairs programme on Arise Television, addressing the ongoing tension between Wike and APC National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru. The dispute reportedly arose after Basiru publicly supported Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, prompting Wike to caution him against involvement in Rivers politics.
Commenting on the situation, Etta stated that Basiru’s actions were in line with his duties as party secretary, defending both the APC’s integrity and its key ally in Rivers State. He stressed that Wike’s intervention was inappropriate given his non-membership status: “But regardless of my personal view of him, he is not a member of our party and therefore cannot meddle in its affairs. The National Secretary was right to defend the integrity of the APC.”
Etta further highlighted that while Wike has been effective in his previous role as Rivers State governor and continues to deliver results as FCT Minister, these achievements do not grant him influence over APC decisions. He added that the party leadership is responsible for safeguarding its interests: “When viewed objectively, the National Secretary was simply fulfilling his responsibilities.”
Addressing Wike’s earlier comments describing Fubara as a “so-called governor,” Etta clarified that the APC’s stance is to respect duly elected officials and that any judgment on Fubara’s re-election prospects falls outside Wike’s jurisdiction.
The APC chieftain concluded that the party remains united in backing Governor Fubara and expects all party members and affiliates to respect the established hierarchy and democratic outcomes in Rivers State.
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