Chieftain and former Acting National Chairman of the ruling party, Hilliard Eta, has backed APC National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru, insisting he acted correctly in defending the party’s integrity amid the escalating political tension in Rivers State involving Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Eta, who spoke on ARISE News on Tuesday, said Basiru was merely performing his constitutional duty as the party’s chief scribe when he cautioned APC members against making disrespectful comments about Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“If you put it in proper perspective, the National Secretary of the party was just doing his job. The leadership of the party is put in place to protect the interests of the party, and that is exactly what he did,” Eta said.
The APC chieftain faulted comments credited to a former APC South-South leader, Victor Giadom, who allegedly described Governor Fubara as a “so-called governor” and suggested he could not secure re-election without Wike’s backing.
“It is not in his place to do so. It was correct for the National Secretary to first correct him and then put in proper perspective the position of the party,” Eta stated.
According to him, the APC’s position is clear and unequivocal.
“Governor Fubara, having been elected by the people of Rivers State, deserves the respect of every party member in the country, regardless of political differences,” he said.
While acknowledging Wike’s political influence and performance in office, Eta stressed that the former Rivers governor has no authority within the APC.
“I love Governor Wike because he gets his job done. As Governor of Rivers State, he got his job done. As FCT Minister, he is getting his job done. But whether I like him or not, he remains not a member of our party and cannot dabble into the affairs of our party,” Eta said.
He dismissed claims that Basiru acted unilaterally, noting that no APC organ had disowned the National Secretary’s statement.
“If the Secretary had gone against the thinking of the party, I am very sure the party would have called him to order by now. He represents the position of the leadership of the party, and every member must fall in line,”he added.
Addressing concerns that the Rivers State dispute could destabilise the APC nationally, Eta played down the significance of the clash.
“Let us not scale up what is happening in Rivers State. Rivers is just one of the 36 chapters of the APC. Every chapter is significant, but no single state crisis can affect the party globally,” he said.
He explained that disagreements are inevitable in political organisations.
“A political party is made up of people with different tendencies and thought processes. Flashpoints are inevitable, and the duty of leadership is to manage them,” Eta noted.
Eta also rejected suggestions that Wike’s relationship with President Bola Tinubu makes the APC vulnerable.
“We are not nervous at all. There are many people who are not members of our party who supported the President. The relationship between Mr President and Governor Wike is not a party matter,” he said.
However, he advised Wike to take a decisive political step.
“For me personally, I think former Governor Nyesom Wike should make up his mind and join the APC. The PDP is fading away, and a man of his competence would be a great asset to the APC, particularly in the South-South,” Eta said.
He argued that Wike would not play a secondary role if he defected.
“If he comes, he will come as a leader. His competence and understanding of Nigerian politics will not allow him to play a secondary role,” he stated.
On whether the party should sanction officials who made unauthorised political declarations, Eta maintained that discipline would be enforced where necessary.
“If anyone crosses the line constitutionally, the APC constitution will be brought forward, and that person will be confronted with it. This is a party built on cohesion and discipline,” he said.
Eta also rejected speculation that the ongoing tension could threaten Wike’s ministerial position.
“That decision lies solely with Mr President. This President is loyal and does not act out of pressure from bigwigs. Nothing happening now will persuade him to act out of turn,” he said.
Looking ahead, Eta expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future.
“I see a rising Nigeria economically. All the indices are positive. What remains is for the gains to trickle down to the homes and tables of ordinary Nigerians,” he concluded.
Boluwatife Enome
Follow us on:
