OSUN: WIKE HOLDS STRONGER POLITICAL SWAY THAN BASIRU – AIDE

A media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, has asserted that the minister commands greater political influence in Osun State than the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru.

The aide, Lere Olayinka, who serves as Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media to the FCT minister, made the assertion amid the ongoing political face-off between Wike and the APC scribe over developments in Rivers State.

Olayinka’s comments followed recent exchanges between both political figures, which arose after Basiru cautioned Wike against interfering in Rivers State politics. The APC national officer had advised the former Rivers governor to resign his ministerial appointment if he intended to remain actively involved in the state’s political affairs.

Reacting via social media on Tuesday, Olayinka dismissed Basiru’s position, questioning his political relevance and electoral credentials, particularly in Osun State.

According to him, Wike’s political reach extends beyond Rivers State and is capable of influencing electoral outcomes even in Osun, where Basiru hails from. He argued that the FCT minister’s political standing would deliver more electoral value to President Bola Tinubu than Basiru’s influence.

The FCT minister’s aide also referenced Basiru’s unsuccessful attempt to secure the APC governorship ticket in Osun State and the party’s loss in the 2022 governorship election, noting that these developments weakened his claims of political authority.

He further recalled Basiru’s defeat in the 2023 senatorial election, stressing that the former lawmaker lacked the moral standing to lecture others on party loyalty or electoral strategy.

Olayinka maintained that Wike remains a major political asset to the ruling party and urged Basiru to focus on strengthening the APC within his home state rather than engaging in external political battles.

The political disagreement is the latest in a series of exchanges between both camps, following accusations by the APC national secretary that Wike was undermining the party’s interests in the South-South region.

While Basiru has continued to insist that Wike is not a registered member of the APC, allies of the FCT minister argue that his political weight remains significant, particularly in Rivers State, where the ruling party has struggled to gain firm electoral footing.