By John Umeh
A fresh political storm is brewing in Rivers State following a sharp exchange between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, over control, influence and party loyalty in the oil-rich state.
Wike, speaking during his ongoing thank-you tour across the 23 local government areas of Rivers State, cautioned Basiru and the APC national leadership to stay out of the state’s internal political affairs, accusing them of being motivated by access to Rivers’ resources rather than genuine party interest.
The FCT minister, addressing supporters in Oyigbo Local Government Area on Monday, boasted of his political clout, claiming he remains the only politician in the country capable of commanding influence across two major political parties.
“Any state that can do this should come forward,” Wike declared, in a veiled reference to his dominance within Rivers politics.
He further warned APC leaders, particularly the party’s national secretary, against what he described as reckless interference, alleging that Rivers State has become a target because of rumours of vast financial resources.
“Because you heard of N600 billion, you come to Rivers, collect, and open your mouth to talk anyhow,” Wike said.
He also directed the APC chairman in Rivers State, Tony Okocha, to caution the party’s national leadership against taking Rivers’ political support for President Bola Tinubu for granted.
“Tell your National Secretary to leave Rivers alone. Go and ask those who tried it before. You must be careful with the kind of statements you make,” Wike warned.
Basiru Fires Back
Basiru, however, responded swiftly, accusing the FCT minister of attempting to sow discord within the ruling party while still serving in an APC-led federal government.
In a statement issued on Monday, the APC national secretary described Wike’s actions as incompatible with his position in the Federal Executive Council and called on him to step aside if he could not desist from interfering in the party’s affairs.
“He cannot remain in the cabinet of an APC government and at the same time cause confusion within the party using the influence of that same office,” Basiru said.
“The honourable thing for him to do is to resign his appointment as minister.”
Basiru stressed that Wike had no legal or moral standing to meddle in APC matters, noting that party records do not list the former Rivers governor as a registered member of the APC.
“Our records indicate clearly that Minister Nyesom Wike is not a member of our party. He therefore lacks the locus to interfere in the internal affairs of the APC,” he stated.
Background to the Tension
The exchange comes weeks after Basiru led a delegation of APC leaders to the Rivers State Government House, where they publicly endorsed Governor Siminalayi Fubara for a second term and praised his leadership style and commitment to peace in the state.
During the visit, the APC leadership assured Governor Fubara that President Bola Tinubu was pleased with his performance, a move widely interpreted as a direct challenge to Wike’s influence in Rivers politics.
Basiru had also earlier condemned comments attributed to the APC South-South Zonal Deputy National Chairman, Chief Victor Giadom—an ally of Wike—who reportedly referred to Governor Fubara as a “so-called governor” during a political event in Gokana.
“The office of the governor is an exalted one and must be respected regardless of political differences,” Basiru said at the time.
Allegations and Counter-Allegations
Responding to Wike’s allegation that APC leaders were scrambling for a purported N600 billion in Rivers State, Basiru dismissed the claim as unfounded and defamatory.
“This is nothing but cheap blackmail, which has unfortunately become his stock-in-trade,” he said.
The APC scribe defended his personal integrity, insisting that his public record was clean, and challenged Wike to substantiate his claims or face legal action.
Basiru also rejected what he described as veiled threats from the FCT minister, warning that Wike was overestimating his political reach.
“He is not God and may be overplaying his political card. My faith is in God, and I will not be intimidated,” Basiru declared.
He concluded by highlighting his long-standing pro-democracy credentials, noting that he was actively involved in the struggle against military rule “at a time when the likes of Wike were nowhere to be found.”
