Wike’s message to APC’s Basiru: “Dey your dey, make I dey my dey” – Lere Olayinka
The simmering political crisis in Rivers State took a colorful turn on Tuesday when Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, launched a scathing social media attack on All Progressives Congress (APC) National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) laced with Nigerian Pidgin and Yoruba proverbs, Olayinka conveyed what he described as Wike’s blunt message to Basiru: “Dey your dey, make I dey my dey“ – a popular phrase meaning “mind your own business, and let me mind mine.”
Olayinka accused Basiru of overstepping by interfering in Rivers State’s “local and grassroots-based” politics, warning him not to “carry his shoulder enter another man’s territory.”
He mocked Basiru’s failed 2023 senatorial re-election bid in Osun Central, where the former Senate Spokesperson lost to PDP’s Fadeyi Olubiyi despite incumbency advantages, questioning his credentials to “help” in Rivers.
“You wey no fit win your own election as a serving senator and Senate Spokesperson, na you go come Rivers come help person? 😂😂😂😂,” Olayinka wrote, before urging Basiru to first unify fractured APC factions in Osun State for President Bola Tinubu, as Wike has allegedly done in Rivers.
The outburst follows a heated public exchange between Wike and Basiru over the weekend, exposing cracks in the ruling party’s handling of the protracted Rivers political impasse.
The feud ignited when Basiru, in a recent interview, defended Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s right to respect as the state’s chief executive, regardless of party differences.
This came after APC South-South Vice Chairman Victor Giadom reportedly referred to Fubara as a “so-called governor” during an event aligned with Wike’s faction.
Wike, during a thank-you visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area on Monday, fired back, declaring Rivers a “no-go area” for outsiders and warning Basiru to steer clear.
He alluded to the state’s substantial federal allocations – reportedly around N600 billion – suggesting opportunistic motives.
Basiru responded sharply in a signed statement, insisting Wike lacks locus standi to meddle in APC affairs despite his ministerial role in Tinubu’s APC-led government.
The national secretary demanded Wike resign his FCT position if he wishes to pursue his “obsession” with Rivers politics, accusing him of importing PDP-style discord into the ruling party.
