By Aruje Emmanuel
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has confirmed that it is actively engaging former Rivers State Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as part of ongoing efforts to de-escalate the political crisis in Rivers State.
The party’s National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, disclosed this on Thursday during an appearance on TVC’s Beyond the Headlines, acknowledging Wike’s continued political relevance in Rivers despite his non-membership of the ruling party.
Basiru described Wike as a key political actor whose influence and alignment with President Bola Tinubu make his involvement in the peace process both necessary and strategic.
“Wike is a known and consistent supporter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, even though he is not formally a member of our party,” Basiru said. “Rivers State is extremely important to the success of this administration, and it is only logical that he is part of the engagement aimed at achieving an amicable resolution.”
According to Basiru, discussions surrounding the Rivers crisis are ongoing and largely behind closed doors, stressing that not all steps being taken would be disclosed to the public immediately.
“These engagements are sensitive,” he noted. “Not every effort can or should be played out in the media.”
He assured Nigerians that the dispute would be resolved peacefully, without political casualties, adding that official details would be made public once an agreement is reached.
Responding to criticisms that the APC has become a party dominated by political elites and sitting governors, Basiru rejected the claim, insisting that the ruling party remains grassroots-driven and widely embraced across the country.
“The APC is a serious, mass-based political organisation,” he said. “Our e-registration figures show clearly that Nigerians from all walks of life are joining the party in large numbers. The APC remains the party to beat.”
He added that the party’s ideology remains firmly rooted in socio-democratic and pro-people principles, with renewed efforts underway to strengthen internal mobilisation and nationwide engagement.
The comments come amid a prolonged political standoff in Rivers State between Wike and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, over control of the state’s political structure.
Fubara officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC on December 9, 2025, marking a significant political shift ahead of the 2027 general elections. His defection followed earlier moves by several members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who also crossed over to the ruling party.
The development effectively ended Fubara’s long association with the PDP and positioned him as the APC’s leading figure in the oil-rich state.
Following the defection, Wike publicly accused Fubara of breaching previous political agreements and questioned his viability within the APC, casting doubt on his chances of securing a second term as governor.
Tensions escalated further on January 8, 2026, when a majority of Rivers State House of Assembly members—aligned with the APC—initiated impeachment proceedings against the governor. The move was widely believed to have been influenced by Wike’s political network.
However, the impeachment process has since stalled, pending the outcome of multiple court cases challenging the legality of the proceedings.
