A new round of political drama involving Rivers State politics broke out on Monday between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Following acrimonious interactions between Wike, APC National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru, and Chief Victor Giadom, the party’s National Vice Chairman (South-South), the development took place.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who just switched from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, is at the center of the dispute.
According to reports, Fubara seems to have won over the party’s leadership since defecting to the APC.
Wike was not pleased with the praise given to his initiatives by some members of the APC hierarchy around the state.
The most recent development in the animosity between Wike and Fubara occurred when Chief Victor Giadom dubbed Governor Fubara a “so-called Governor” during a political event in Rivers State’s Gokana Local Government Area.
Giadom, the APC National Vice Chairman for the South-South zone, also proclaimed Gokana a “no-go area” for politicians, stating that anyone hoping to win an election there must first get the former governor of Rivers State’s blessing.
Many saw the remarks as disrespectful to the governor’s office and incendiary in the already unstable political climate of Rivers, which sparked quick uproar in political circles.
Basiru chastises Gaidom
In response to Giadom’s remarks, APC National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru publicly chastised the South-South vice chairman, calling his views “unfortunate” and unfit for a member of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
Basiru emphasized that the office of a sitting governor must be respected, regardless of internal conflicts or political allegiances.
“It is regrettable that a member of the NWC… referred to a governor as a ‘so-called governor of Rivers State,'” Basiru stated.
“It is inappropriate for someone in such a delicate position, regardless of his allegiances.”
Even governors from opposition parties should be respected, Basiru continued, pointing out that the governorship is “an exalted position” that shouldn’t be lessened for political reasons.
Wike shoots Basiru a warning shot.
But Wike was not pleased with Basiru’s intervention.
The APC scribe received a severe warning from the present FCT minister, who is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), telling him to avoid becoming involved in Rivers State politics.
Speaking on Monday during a thank-you visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area, Wike accused anonymous political figures of using the purported N600 billion still in Rivers State’s treasury to make rash and divisive remarks.
The Minister especially cited remarks ascribed to Giadom, restating assertions that Governor Fubara would not be able to win a second term without Wike’s support, and cautioned Basiru against making what he called irresponsible remarks regarding Rivers issues.
In response, Basiru demands Wike’s resignation.
Many were shocked when Basiru’s sharply worded statement from Abuja, accusing Wike of trying to destabilize the APC, exacerbated the verbal spat.
Basiru expressed his surprise at the “uncouth responses” he received from a Federal Executive Council member in response to his request for respect for current governors.
He maintained that Wike could not continue to serve in the cabinet of an APC-led administration while allegedly inciting internal strife within the party.
“The honorable thing to do is to resign his appointment as Minister,” Basiru said, adding that “he cannot be in the Federal Executive Council of an APC Government and be causing confusion within any organ or structure of the Party.”
The FCT minister was not listed as a registered APC member in party records, the APC National Secretary emphasized, further arguing that Wike lacked the right to meddle in the party’s internal matters.
“Our records show that Minister Nyesom Wike is not a member of our Party APC, so he lacks the locus to meddle in our Party’s affairs,” Basiru said.
APC fissures
A senior All Progressives Congress (APC) official responded to the development by calling the public exchange “deeply embarrassing.” The official spoke on condition of anonymity owing to the delicate nature of the issue.
In advance of the 2027 general election, he cautioned that the APC’s credibility could be damaged by the ongoing verbal sparring.
The official said that rather than using media pronouncements that portray division and undermine the party’s moral authority, internal disputes should be resolved through established party processes.
He also warned that the oil-rich Niger Delta state is still strategically important to the APC and that if internal disputes are left unresolved, the party may suffer significant consequences.
The party leader advised everyone to put the party’s unity ahead of their own ambitions and power.
“I have to say unequivocally that the heated argument is needless and embarrassing. Additionally, it is seriously harming the party’s reputation rather than helping the APC, the senior APC official stated.
He went on, “If this kind of thing goes unchecked, it will not only weaken our unity but also cost the party politically, especially in a swing state like Rivers.”
Analyst: APC needs to defuse the situation immediately.
In an interview, Nduka Odo, a communication specialist and public affairs analyst at Peaceland University in Enugu, characterized the current crisis as a prime illustration of an elite power struggle that has spilled into the public sphere.
He claims that deeper structural flaws in party discipline and internal dispute resolution procedures are reflected in the controversy.
According to Odo, the language employed by important parties in the conflict is very concerning.
“A breakdown in internal communication and discipline is indicated when senior figures engage in open confrontation, and it invariably causes the public’s focus to shift from governance to personal rivalry.
“Public ultimatums and statements that cast doubt on the legitimacy of a sitting governor are harmful because they are meant to incite conflict rather than end it. Reconciliation becomes more challenging when such terminology is used.
“Going forward, the APC needs to immediately defuse this controversy by shifting the conversation away from the media and reiterating its internal dispute resolution procedures.
He issued a warning, saying, “If the party does not do so, it risks deepening internal divisions and presenting itself to the public as disorganized and incapable of managing its own affairs.”
