Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has spoken publicly about the defection of former aviation minister Femi Fani-Kayode from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.
Mr Fani-Kayode joined the APC last month despite criticising the party vehemently in the past. His high-profile reception into the APC has also generated wranglings within the governing party.
Mr Wike told BBC Pidgin that he does not take anything Fani-Kayode says because he (Wike) does not like “artificial things”.
“I don’t why people are saying they are shocked, you see it is not everyone’s statement that you’ll take to heart, some persons talk so you can give them something to eat. Some talk so they can be saved from their problem, if they would even get saved,” he said, referring to Fani-Kayode’s ongoing trials for alleged fraud.
“Femi and I are not friends. He said I’m one of the governors he’s trying to reach. He can’t reach me. I don’t like artificial things. Femi and I don’t talk,” Wike said.
The Rivers governor, who is very vocal about his criticism of the Buhari administration, added that Fani-Kayode would not be missed in the PDP as he cannot guarantee electoral victory even in Osun his state of origin.
Addressing former President Goodluck Jonathan’s rumoured plan to join the APC, Wike advised the former leader not to join the party.
“If I see the former president I will ask him, ‘Sir, what did I hear?’ Don’t go anywhere, these people want to spoil the remaining reputation you have,” he said.