The Senior Special Assistant on public communication and social media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Lere Olayinka, has taken a swipe at the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajibola Basiru, declaring that Wike wields more political influence in Osun State than the former senator.
Olayinka’s remarks come amid the escalating war of words between Wike and Basiru over the political developments in Rivers State, with both camps trading accusations over party loyalty, influence, and interference.
In a series of posts on social media on Tuesday, Olayinka mocked Basiru’s political standing and questioned his moral authority to comment on Rivers politics, insisting that Wike remains a stronger electoral force, even outside his home state.
“In Osun State, Wike’s influence will still give President Tinubu more votes than Ajibola Basiru,” Olayinka wrote.
The aide also criticised Basiru’s past political outings, recalling his failed attempt to secure the APC governorship ticket in Osun State and his loss in the 2023 senatorial election.
“Someone who wanted APC governorship ticket but couldn’t get it, na him wan come another state come help another person,” he added.
The latest exchange follows Basiru’s public rebuke of a Wike ally who described Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, as the “so-called governor,” a remark the APC scribe condemned as disrespectful to the office of the governor.
Basiru had also accused Wike of destabilising the APC in the South-South and advised the former Rivers governor to resign his ministerial appointment and face Rivers politics directly.
Reacting to this, Olayinka warned Basiru to steer clear of Wike and Rivers State affairs, insisting that politics is local and should not be dictated by outsiders.
“Wike’s message to Ajibola Basiru is simple. Dey your dey, make I dey my dey. No dey do cho cho cho come Rivers,” he wrote.
He further challenged Basiru to first unite political forces in Osun State the way Wike, according to him, has done in Rivers, before attempting to lecture others on strategy or loyalty.
“But make Mr Ajibola Basiru use that shoulder wey him dey carry up and down to bring all parties in Osun State together for President Tinubu, the way Wike has done in Rivers State first,” Olayinka said.
Wiks aide also recalled Basiru’s role as Director-General of the APC Campaign Council during the 2022 Osun governorship election, where the party lost power, suggesting that his track record did not justify his current posture.
“Ajibola Basiru was Director-General of APC Campaign Council for Osun governorship election in 2022. Did he deliver?” he queried.
He went on to reference Basiru’s defeat in the 2023 senatorial election, despite being the spokesperson of the Senate at the time.
The clash between both camps intensified after Wike, during a visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State on Monday, warned Basiru to leave the state alone and stop making comments capable of heating up the political space.
Wike had cautioned that Rivers was not a playground for political grandstanding, stressing that external interference would not be tolerated.
Basiru, in response, maintained that Wike is not a member of the APC and therefore has no business interfering in the party’s internal affairs, insisting that his support for President Bola Tinubu does not automatically confer party membership.
The APC National Secretary also accused Wike of creating confusion within the ruling party and advised him to resign from the Federal Executive Council if he wished to continue engaging in partisan battles.
However, Wike’s camp maintains that the FCT minister remains a critical political asset to President Tinubu, particularly in Rivers State, where the APC has historically struggled to gain firm footing.
