A new round of political drama broke out on Monday between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike over politics in Rivers State.
Wike, APC National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru, and Chief Victor Giadom, the party’s National Vice Chairman (South-South), engaged in acrimonious arguments that preceded the development.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who recently joined the All Progressives Congress from the Peoples Democratic Party, is at the center of the controversy.
After defecting to the APC, Fubara reportedly seemed to have won over the party’s leadership.
Wike was not pleased with the fact that several members of the APC hierarchy had been complimenting his projects throughout the state.
At a political event in Rivers State’s Gokana Local Government Area, Chief Victor Giadom labeled Governor Fubara a “so-called Governor.” This was the most recent development in the animosity between Wike and Fubara.
Gokana is a “no-go area” for politicians, according to Giadom, the APC National Vice Chairman for the South-South zone. He insisted that anyone hoping to win an election in the region must first secure the former governor of Rivers State’s consent.
In the already unstable political environment in Rivers, many saw the remarks as incendiary and insulting to the governor’s office, which sparked quick indignation in political circles.
Gaidom is rebuked by Basiru
Senator Ajibola Basiru, the APC National Secretary, publicly chastised Giadom for his words, calling them “unfortunate” and unworthy of a member of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
Regardless of internal conflicts or political allegiances, Basiru emphasized that the office of a current governor must be respected.
“It is regrettable that a member of the NWC was referring to a governor as a ‘so-called governor of Rivers State,'” Basiru stated.
“Whatever his allegiances, it is inappropriate for someone in such a delicate position.”
Even governors from opposition parties should be respected, Basiru continued, pointing out that the governorship is “an exalted position” that shouldn’t be degraded for political expediency.
Wike shoots a warning at Basiru.
Wike, however, did not like Basiru’s meddling.
Despite being a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the current FCT minister warned the APC scribe to avoid getting involved in Rivers State politics.
Speaking on Monday during a thank-you visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area, Wike charged anonymous political figures with using the purported N600 billion that remained in Rivers State’s coffers to make rash and divisive remarks.
The Minister notably 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 comments regarding Rivers issues.
Basiru retaliates by demanding that Wike step down.
Many were shocked when Basiru’s sharply worded statement from Abuja, accusing Wike of trying to destabilize the APC, intensified the verbal spat.
Basiru expressed his disbelief 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 APC-led government’s cabinet while allegedly inciting internal strife inside the party.
Basiru declared, “He cannot be in the Federal Executive Council of an APC Government and be causing confusion within any organ or structure of the Party.” He added, “resigning his appointment as Minister is the honourable thing to do.”
The APC National Secretary further contended that Wike was not authorized to meddle in the internal affairs of the party, emphasizing that the FCT minister was not listed as a registered APC member in party records.
“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 stated.
APC fractures
A senior All Progressives Congress (APC) official responded to the situation by calling the public exchange “deeply embarrassing.” The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the delicate nature of the issue.
Before the general election in 2027, he cautioned that the APC’s credibility could be damaged by the ongoing verbal sparring.
The official said that rather than using statements in the public that suggest 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 politically and that if internal disputes are left unaddressed, the party may suffer severe consequences.
Party unity should take precedence above individual power and desire, the party head exhorted everyone.
“I must emphasize unequivocally that the heated argument is needless and embarrassing. Additionally, the senior APC official stated that it is seriously harming the party’s reputation rather than helping it.
“In a swing state like Rivers, if this kind of thing keeps going unchecked, it will not only weaken our unity but also cost the party politically,” he continued.
Analyst: APC must immediately defuse the situation.
In an interview, Nduka Odo, a communication specialist and public affairs analyst at Peaceland University in Enugu, characterized the current situation as a prime illustration of an elite power struggle that has spilled into the public sphere.
He claims that the dispute is a reflection of deeper structural flaws in internal conflict-resolution procedures and party discipline.
Odo contended that the terminology employed by the dispute’s major players is especially concerning.
“When high-ranking officials engage in open conflict, it indicates a breakdown in internal communication and discipline and unavoidably diverts public focus from governance to personal rivalries.”
“Public ultimatums and statements that cast doubt on the legitimacy of a sitting governor are harmful because they are intended to incite conflict rather than to resolve it. Reconciliation is made more challenging and tension is increased by such words.
“Going forward, the APC needs to quickly defuse this disagreement by reiterating its internal conflict-resolution procedures and diverting conversations from the media.
He warned, “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.”
