No Smart Dog Guards Two Gates: Senator Fadahunsi Slams Wike Over Attacks On APC Scribe, Ajibola Basiru

The brewing conflict between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) took a sharper dimension on Wednesday as the Senator representing Osun East, Francis Fadahunsi, intervened with a stinging rebuke of the Minister’s recent conduct.

Fadahunsi, a retired Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, warned Wike to stop his “verbal onslaught” against the National Secretary of the APC, Senator Ajibola Basiru.

He emphasized that the people of Osun State would not stand idly by while their leaders are denigrated by a “political outsider.”

Senator Fadahunsi, said this in a statement issued by his media aide, Sam Segun- Progress late Wednesday, utilized a vivid metaphor to describe Wike’s attempt to influence the APC while maintaining his grip on the PDP.

“It is important for Wike to know that no matter how smart a dog is, it cannot guard two gates at once,” Fadahunsi declared. “Any dog who tries such a feat only ends up exhausted and in the hospital. You cannot be the de facto leader of the PDP and still want to dictate the pace for the APC. Pick a side and stay there.”

The Senator further advised the Minister to stick to his “good work” in the opposition party rather than trying to import its internal friction into the ruling party.

“I advise Wike to continue with his ‘good work’ in the PDP and not to attempt such with the APC. Our party has a structure, and it must be respected,” he stated.

He further stated that insulting the APC scribe is tantamount to insulting President Bola Tinubu as the scribe represents the same party the President belongs to.

The face-off between Wike and Basiru ignited earlier this week following the defection of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to the APC—a move that fundamentally shifted the power balance in the Niger Delta.

The conflict reached a boiling point when the APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, publicly rebuked the APC Vice Chairman (South-South), Victor Giadom, for referring to Fubara as the “so-called governor” during a visit to Wike’s camp. Basiru insisted that the office of the governor must be respected, regardless of internal party squabbles.

Wike reacted with fury, warning Basiru to “leave Rivers State alone” and accusing him of being lured by the state’s ₦600 billion treasury.

Basiru responded by calling for Wike’s resignation from President Tinubu’s cabinet, arguing that since Wike is not a registered member of the APC, he lacks the locus standi to dabble in its internal affairs.

Senator Fadahunsi made it clear that Basiru enjoys the full backing of the Osun political establishment.

He characterized the National Secretary as a “highly cerebral” figure who has earned his stripes.

“Wike should desist from insulting party leaders who are working tirelessly to stabilize the country,” Fadahunsi warned.

“The people of Osun cannot tolerate any form of insult directed at any of its leaders, especially the highly cerebral National Secretary of the APC, Bashiru Ajibola, who is also a former Senator from Osun.”

He also demanded to know what the minister has done in Osun or for Osun people, which he claimed the APC scribe in enjoying.

“Talk is cheap and Wike should know that by now. I have consistently asked myself what Wike did in Osun or for Osun people, which he claimed Ajibola Basiru is enjoying. I have no problem with the minister’s recent tours and sightseeing in Rivers State; let him keep enjoying the optics that come with them, but I strongly advise him to keep off Osun State and our party, the APC.

He concluded by urging the Minister to focus on his mandate in the FCT rather than engaging in what he termed “political meddlesomeness.”

“Basiru is a man of integrity and a legal scholar. Attempting to bully him because he demanded respect for an elected governor is a low blow. Wike must learn that the APC is a house of order, not a theater of war,” he added.