A sharp war of words erupted on Monday between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajibola Basiru, over alleged interference in Rivers State politics, with the ruling party demanding Wike’s resignation from the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
The dispute is linked to internal APC arrangements that recognise sitting governors as party leaders in their states and favour automatic tickets for second-term bids. The development has taken on added significance following the recent defection of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to the APC—an outcome Wike is widely seen as opposing, given his long-standing political rivalry with his successor.
Tensions escalated when Wike publicly warned Basiru to stay out of Rivers State politics or face consequences, a remark that drew swift condemnation from the APC National Secretary. Basiru accused the minister of overstepping his bounds and undermining party cohesion, insisting that Wike’s support for President Bola Tinubu did not translate into APC membership.
Basiru called on Wike to resign his ministerial position, arguing that his conduct was incompatible with his role in an APC-led government. He said loyalty to the president could not substitute for allegiance to the party’s constitution and structures, stressing that Wike remained a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The exchange followed Basiru’s earlier criticism of comments made by the APC Vice Chairman (South-South), Chief Victor Giadom, who had referred to Governor Fubara as a “so-called governor.” Basiru rebuked the remark, stating that the office of governor must be respected regardless of political disagreements.
Reacting during a “Thank You” visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, Wike accused unnamed APC figures of meddling in the state’s affairs and insinuated financial impropriety linked to funds allegedly left in the state’s coffers.
“Let me warn those who come to Rivers State… take this message to your National Secretary, leave Rivers State alone,” Wike said. “Go and ask those who have done it before. If your hand burn, no be me burn am. This state is a no-go area.”
He added that Rivers people should not be taken for granted because of their support for President Tinubu, warning that “when food was hot, nobody came, but now food is ready, everybody is coming.”
Wike also challenged his critics to demonstrate the political strength required to unite two major political parties within a single state, insisting that Rivers remained the only state where the APC and PDP worked together politically. He further vowed to correct what he described as “mistakes” from the 2023 elections, saying it must be done “now or never.”
In response, Basiru dismissed Wike’s remarks as “uncouth” and described allegations of financial inducement as cheap blackmail. He maintained that, as APC National Secretary, he had a constitutional responsibility to protect party structures nationwide, including in Rivers State.
“Our records indicate that Minister Nyesom Wike is not a member of our party, APC, so he lacks the locus to dabble into the affairs of our party,” Basiru said. “His support for Mr President does not automatically make him an APC member.”
Basiru also challenged Wike to substantiate claims that he had received funds from Rivers State, warning that failure to do so could result in legal action. He rejected what he described as veiled threats, stating that he would not be intimidated.
“My faith is in God, and I will not succumb to cheap threats,” Basiru said, adding that Wike could not remain in the FEC of an APC government while allegedly causing confusion within party structures.
Prominent APC stakeholders also weighed in, issuing a stern warning to the FCT minister and demanding an immediate retraction and public apology. In a statement signed by Umar Duhu on behalf of concerned stakeholders, the party described Wike’s comments as a breach of protocol and an abuse of office.
“As a serving minister, Nyesom Wike has a responsibility to exercise restraint, decorum and respect for the institutions of government and the ruling party,” the statement said, warning that indiscipline and threats would not be tolerated regardless of status.
The stakeholders cautioned that failure to apologise could lead to formal complaints to President Tinubu, legal action, and calls for disciplinary measures.
Meanwhile, the South-South Youth League of the PDP described Wike as a “homeless politician,” accusing him of betraying the party that gave him prominence and claiming he now occupies a political no-man’s-land after falling out with both the PDP and the APC.
The group argued that the APC had no grounds to complain about Wike’s conduct, stating that his brand of politics had been encouraged when it served the ruling party’s interests, but had now become a liability.
As the standoff deepens, the confrontation underscores growing political tensions in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general elections, with both parties bracing for a protracted power struggle in the oil-rich state.
