By Hudu Yakubu
A political pressure group, Apara Committee of Friends, has strongly condemned what it described as an unwarranted verbal assault on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, by a former senator, John Azuta Mbata, following comments made by the minister during a recent political outing in Rivers State.
Addressing a press conference on Friday in Port Harcourt, the group said Mbata’s reaction to what it termed a “brotherly and sincere political advice” from Wike was excessive, abusive and unbefitting of a former federal lawmaker.
The committee said Wike’s original remark, made during his statewide “thank you” tour at Tai Local Government Area on December 31, 2025, was intended as constructive advice, urging Mbata to focus on national politics rather than what it described as narrow community-level political engagements.
According to the group, the minister merely expressed concern that a former senator should be operating at a broader national political level, rather than endorsing candidates at what it called a “community platform,” stressing that the comment did not amount to an insult or personal attack.
“It was a simple advisory, borne out of concern for the political pedigree of a former senator. It did not warrant the kind of verbal abuse, ridicule and personal attacks that followed,” the group said.
The committee criticised Mbata’s reported focus on mocking Wike’s pronunciation of the word “integrity,” describing it as petty and diversionary, arguing that pronunciation issues were not a measure of literacy or competence.
They further insisted that the central issue raised by the minister was integrity in public life, noting that Mbata allegedly failed to address that concern directly, choosing instead to engage in what they called mockery and name-calling.
The group also alleged that Mbata’s outburst was driven by envy over Wike’s political rise and influence, particularly his role as political leader of Rivers State and a key figure in the Tinubu political structure in the state.
While distancing itself from personal vendettas, the committee urged Mbata to reflect on his public conduct, avoid personal attacks, and focus on constructive political engagement.
It also cautioned against actions it said could undermine unity and collective political interests in Rivers State.
The group reaffirmed its support for Wike, describing him as a seasoned political leader with an extensive record in public service at both state and national levels, and called on political actors to embrace decorum, mutual respect and issue-based engagement in public discourse.
They urged all stakeholders to place the interests of the state and nation above personal grievances, warning that inflammatory rhetoric could further polarise the polity.