“Mad dog should realize who is feeding him” – Dr Duhu Urges Wike to Maintain Decorum, Apologize, Respect Boundaries

By Emmanuel Kwada

Tensions within Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) escalated on Monday as stakeholders, led by Dr. Umar D. Duhu, a prominent party figure with LLM and PhD qualifications, issued a strongly worded statement demanding that Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike retract recent comments directed at APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, and issue a public apology.

‎The controversy stems from Wike’s public warning to Basiru during a “thank-you” visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area in Rivers State earlier on Monday. Wike cautioned Basiru to “leave Rivers State alone,” describing the state as a “no-go area” and warning that interference could lead to consequences, with phrases implying potential political repercussions.

Reports indicate Wike accused some APC figures of making reckless statements after allegedly benefiting from Rivers State’s resources.

‎Dr. Duhu’s statement, titled “APC Stakeholders Put Wike on Notice: Retract and Apologize Now,” condemned Wike’s remarks as “uncalled for” and a “clear breach of protocol.”

It emphasized that the APC is not the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where leaders reportedly remain silent amid provocations, and stressed that the party has “zero tolerance” for indiscipline and vulgarism.

‎”As a serving minister in the APC Government, Wike has a duty to maintain decorum and respect the boundaries of his office,” the statement read.

It reminded Wike that he is not a formal member of the APC and thus has “no privilege to interfere with the party’s internal affairs or those of its members.”

‎The stakeholders accused Wike of threats and intimidation bordering on abuse of power, putting him “on notice” and demanding an immediate retraction and apology to the APC and Basiru.

Failure to comply, they warned, could trigger actions such as formal complaints to President Bola Tinubu, legal proceedings for defamation and abuse of office, disciplinary measures against him as a minister, and other steps to protect the party’s dignity.

‎The statement further criticized Wike’s “divisive rhetoric and apparent obsession with Rivers State,” labeling him “more of a liability than an asset” to President Tinubu’s re-election prospects. It urged Wike to resign from his ministerial position and focus on resolving his political issues in Rivers State.

‎In a notable phrase, the statement referenced Wike’s perceived aggressive stance: “If Wike thinks at this juncture that he is a mad dog, the mad dog too should realize who is feeding him now.” It highlighted that his ministerial role is a “privilege, not a right.”

‎Additional points raised included allegations of “petty jealousy and tribalism” in Wike’s comments, particularly regarding Basiru’s relationship with the Minister of Blue Economy.

‎The underlying dispute traces back to Basiru’s recent criticism of APC South-South Vice Chairman Victor Giadom for reportedly referring to Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara as a “so-called governor” during one of Wike’s visits, in an apparent alignment with the FCT minister amid the ongoing Wike-Fubara political rift.

‎Basiru has separately responded to Wike’s remarks, calling for the minister’s resignation and asserting that Wike lacks standing to interfere in APC matters since he remains a PDP member despite serving in the APC-led government.

‎As of press time, there has been no public response from Minister Wike to Dr. Duhu’s demands. The development highlights growing strains within the APC over Wike’s influential role and his continued involvement in Rivers State politics.