The political battle over Rivers State intensified on Monday as the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, traded fierce words over the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and control of party structures in the state.
The confrontation was triggered by a demand from the APC national secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, that Wike should either stop interfering in the ruling party’s affairs or step down from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet.
In a hard-hitting statement issued in Abuja, Basiru accused the former Rivers governor of fomenting crisis within the APC despite not being a member of the party.
“He cannot be in the Federal Executive Council of an APC-led government and at the same time be causing confusion within the party at any level. If he cannot stop, the honourable thing to do is to resign as minister,” Basiru said.
The APC scribe said his remarks followed what he described as personal attacks from Wike after he criticised comments by the APC national vice chairman (South-South), Victor Giadom, who had referred to Fubara as “the so-called governor.”
Basiru had insisted that regardless of political differences, the office of governor deserved respect, describing sitting governors as leaders of the party in their respective states.
He expressed surprise that such a position could provoke “uncouth reactions from no less than a member of the Federal Executive Council,” insisting that Wike lacked the locus to interfere in APC affairs.
“Our records show that Minister Nyesom Wike is not a member of the APC, so he has no standing to dabble in the internal affairs of our party,” he said.
Wike’s warning
Earlier in the day, Wike had warned Basiru to stay away from Rivers State politics, declaring the state a “no-go area” for political interference.
Speaking during a thank-you visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area, the minister accused some political actors of exploiting reports that about ₦600 billion was left in the state’s treasury to speak carelessly about Rivers affairs.
Wike’s outburst followed remarks credited to Giadom, who said Governor Fubara could not secure a second term without Wike’s backing and described him as a “so-called governor” during the minister’s visit to Khana and Gokana councils.
Angered by Basiru’s intervention, Wike warned that those who meddled in Rivers politics did so at their own risk.
“Tell your national secretary to leave Rivers State alone. Go and ask those who have tried it before. Don’t take our support for Mr President for granted,” he said.
“This state is a no-go area. If your hand burns, don’t say it was me. Take the one you have taken and stop making unnecessary comments,” Wike added.
He insisted that Rivers people voluntarily supported President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 election when others stayed away, stressing that the decision was not forced.
Basiru fires back
Responding, Basiru said his constitutional duty as APC national secretary empowered him to speak on party matters across the country, dismissing claims that he was overstepping his bounds.
“My responsibility is not limited to Osun State. Protecting the interests of the APC nationwide cannot be described as interference,” he said.
Basiru dismissed Wike’s allegation that APC leaders were scrambling for a purported ₦600 billion in Rivers State as “cheap blackmail,” challenging the minister to prove the claim or face legal action.
He also addressed what he described as veiled threats from Wike, warning that the FCT minister was “not God” and may be overplaying his political influence.
“My faith is in God, and I will not be intimidated by cheap threats,” he said, adding that Wike’s open support for President Tinubu did not translate into APC membership.
“Millions of non-APC Nigerians support Mr President. His support does not make him a member of the APC, and his attempt to destabilise our party in Rivers State will not be tolerated,” Basiru said.
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