By Aniefiok Christopher
The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, have exchanged words over Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara’s leadership position in the party and what the party described as persistent interference in Rivers State politics.
Consequently, the APC has demanded the resignation of Wike from the Federal Executive Council, sparking a sharp exchange between the minister and the party’s National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru.
Wike, however, fired back at the ruling party, warning that it has no right or authority to meddle in the political affairs of Rivers State, which he described as a “no-go area” for external interference.
The renewed hostility comes after a brief lull in tensions following the end of the state of emergency that led to the suspension of Rivers State Governor Fubara.
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Political frictions have since resurfaced, with Wike repeatedly attacking Fubara over what he alleged were broken political agreements.
Sensing that Wike was gaining political leverage while operating without a party following his expulsion from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Governor Fubara defected to the APC.
The move, widely seen as strategic, handed Fubara control of the APC structure in Rivers State and firmly embedded him within the ruling party’s political framework.
Fubara’s defection was promptly endorsed by the APC national leadership, a development that reportedly unsettled Wike and set the stage for the current confrontation.
However, in what appeared to be an open declaration of hostility, the APC demanded Wike’s resignation from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet, accusing him of interfering in the party’s internal affairs and fomenting political tension in Rivers State.
In a statement issued on Monday, the APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, reacted to what he described as a tirade by the FCT minister against his office.
In a tone laden with personal response, he said, “My attention has been drawn to the tirade of the Minister of the FCT against my person and my office as the National Secretary of the APC.
“This is in respect of my position that all members of the NWC must accord any sitting Governor his due respect and that Governors remain the leaders of the Party in their respective States,” Basiru said.
“It is shocking that such an innocuous statement could elicit such uncouth responses from no less than a member of the Federal Executive Council,” Bashiru said.
The APC scribe stressed that Wike is not a member of the APC and therefore lacks the legal and political standing to interfere in its affairs.
“For the avoidance of doubt, our records clearly indicate that Minister Nyesom Wike is not a member of our Party, the APC, and therefore lacks the locus standi to dabble into the affairs of our Party,” he said.
“As National Secretary of the APC, I am imbued with the responsibility to protect the interests of the Party, its members, and its structures.
“Consequently, my comments on the affairs of the APC in Rivers State cannot be construed as undue interference in the affairs of Rivers State. My responsibilities as National Secretary are not confined to my home state of Osun.”
Reacting to allegations that APC leaders were scrambling for funds allegedly left in Rivers State coffers, Basiru described the claim as baseless and defamatory.
“I also take exception to Wike’s reference to a supposed N600 billion largesse in the State, for which he alleged that I and other APC leaders are scrambling. This is nothing but cheap blackmail, which has unfortunately become his stock-in-trade,” Basiru said.
“My background and track record speak to unquestionable integrity, and I challenge him to substantiate his allegations or be prepared to meet me in court.”
Basiru also addressed what he termed veiled threats from the FCT minister, warning that Wike was overplaying his political influence.
“As to his veiled threats against me, let me remind Wike that he is not God and may, indeed, be overplaying his political cards. My faith is firmly in God, and I will not succumb to cheap threats of any kind,” he said.
“I am one of the young Nigerians who stood up to confront military rule and fought for democracy at a time when the likes of Wike were nowhere in sight,” he stated.
The APC National Secretary further emphasised that Wike’s support for President Bola Tinubu does not translate into automatic membership of the ruling party.
“Let me also remind Nyesom Wike that his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu does not automatically confer APC membership on him. Millions of Nigerians who are not members of the APC also support Mr President, and his support is no different,” Basiru stated.
“His attempt to destabilise our Party in Rivers State will not be tolerated, and he cannot import the spirit and culture of the PDP into the APC.”
Basiru insisted that Wike should resign from the Federal Executive Council if he cannot separate governance from partisan interference.
“Finally, my advice to Nyesom Wike is that he cannot continue to serve in the Federal Executive Council of an APC-led government while simultaneously creating confusion within the organs and structures of the Party at any level, using the leverage of that same office,” he said.
“The honourable thing for him to do is to resign his appointment as Minister,” Bashir added.
The APC National Secretary’s remarks followed an earlier warning by Wike, who cautioned Basiru to “leave Rivers State alone” and urged him to be careful with public statements.
Wike Asks Basiru to steer Clear of Rivers politics
Wike had asked the National Secretary of APC, Senator Ajibola Basiru, to steer clear of Rivers State politics.
Wike issued the warning during a thank-you visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area, where he alleged that the APC National Secretary had benefited from funds drawn from the N600 billion left in the state’s coffers.
Basiru had on Sunday warned the National Vice Chairman, South-South of the party, Victor Giadom, to stop disrespecting the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to please Wike.
Basiru’s comment followed Giadom’s comments on December 30, 2025, during Wike’s visit to the Gokana Local Government Area, where he referred to Fubara as a “so-called governor.”
“I find it unfortunate that a member of the NWC was referring to a governor in our Party as a ‘so-called governor of Rivers State,’” Basiru wrote.
“The office of the Governor is an exalted position, and whoever occupies it must be accorded due respect, irrespective of political affiliations or differences,” Bashiru had written.
The national vice chairman had also said that for Fubara to win anything in Rivers, he must go through Wike.
However, the minister, who did not take Basiru’s comments lightly, asked Giadom to advise the APC scribe to avoid Rivers politics for his own good.
“Tell your national secretary to leave Rivers alone. Go and ask those who have tried it before, and don’t take our support for Mr President for granted.
“You have to be careful of the statement you made,” Wike said.
‘No-Go Area’
The former Rivers governor also stated that he would bring Bashiru’s comment to the attention of President Bola Tinubu.
“When Mr. President comes back, when I see the Minister of Blue Economy, I will tell them to tell him. Carry your hand to Rivers State, if your hand burns, don’t say na me burn am,” he said.
He further cautioned those meddling in Rivers politics because of the alleged ₦600 billion in the state treasury to leave the state alone.
The Minister explained that when the Rivers people were struggling to support President Bola Tinubu in 2023, nobody supported them.
The former Rivers Governor insisted that the APC scribe and his cohorts should not get themselves involved in politics, otherwise “anything you see you, take”.
Wike, who described Rivers as “a no-go area,” added, “Take the one you have taken and stop making unnecessary comments.
“We have taken a decision to support Mr President, and that is exactly what we are doing. When we agreed to support Tinubu in 2023, nobody forced us.
“Now, food is ready, and everybody is coming, and when it was hot, nobody was saying anything. Leave Rivers state alone.”
The Minister thanked the people of Oyigbo, noting that there was no time he begged for something and they did not oblige.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Oyigbo Local Government Council, Okechukwu Agara, expressed his people’s gratitude to the minister for all he has done for them.
“For all that you have done for us, we will continue to support you. Just say the word, we will hear and will do exactly what you want us to do,” Agara said.
Shetimma Advises Wike
The Vice President, Kashim Shetimma had sent a strong message to Nyesom Wike by way of responding to his media parleys he held in Rivers State, clarifying that by virtue of their status in APC, the state governors are the leaders of their states.
Shetimma, who sent the message to Wike, stated that Governor Siminalayi Fubara is the leader of the APC in Rivers State.
The Vice President announced this recently in Enugu State during an event he attended in solidarity with the APC in the state.
He emphasized that he is the Vice President of Nigeria and the second-in-command both in the country and within the All Progressives Congress, APC .
Shetimma explained that in his home state of Borno, the leader of the party is the sitting governor, Professor Babagana Zulum.
”Although Godswill Akpabio is the Senate President and number three in the nation, Governor Umo Eno remains the leader of the APC in Akwa Ibom State.”
He further cited Kaduna State, where Governor Uba Sani is the leader of the party, and Enugu State, where Governor Peter Mbah leads the APC structure.
According to the Vice President, this principle applies across all states, including Rivers State.
He advised Wike to note of the clarification to avoid unnecessary political complications.
