Wike to APC Scribe - Hands Off Rivers Politics

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Wike to APC Scribe - Hands Off Rivers Politics

The political feud between Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has escalated into a heated confrontation over control of Rivers State politics. Wike has warned the APC scribe to steer clear of Rivers affairs, while Basiru has countered by demanding Wike’s resignation from his ministerial post.

The clash stems from the ongoing political turbulence in Rivers State following Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s defection to the APC.

Traditionally, APC governors are recognized as leaders of the party in their respective states, a convention that grants them significant influence and often secures automatic return tickets for a second term.

Wike, who served as Rivers governor before becoming FCT minister, perceives this arrangement as a direct threat to his political relevance in the state. He has openly rejected the idea that Governor Fubara should automatically assume leadership of the APC in Rivers, warning party officials not to meddle in the state’s political dynamics.

During a “thank-you” visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area, Wike declared Rivers State a “no-go area” for APC national officers, insisting that the people of the state would resist external interference. He accused the APC leadership of attempting to undermine his influence and suggested that funds from Rivers’ coffers had been misappropriated by party officials. His remarks were seen as a direct challenge to the authority of the APC National Working Committee, which has already expressed concern that Wike’s actions could destabilize the party and force President Bola Tinubu to choose between loyalty to his minister and the unity of the APC.

In response, Senator Basiru dismissed Wike’s warnings and accused him of being obsessed with Rivers politics. He urged Wike to resign his ministerial position if he wished to continue his political battles in the state, arguing that his fixation on Rivers undermines his role as FCT minister.

Basiru also defended Governor Fubara, criticizing Wike’s allies in the APC for referring to him as “the so-called Governor.” According to Basiru, the party must respect Fubara’s authority as the legitimate leader of Rivers State and as the APC’s recognized leader in the state following his defection.

The confrontation highlights the broader struggle for political dominance in Rivers, a state long considered a strategic battleground due to its economic importance and electoral weight.

Wike, despite not being a member of the APC, continues to wield considerable influence, leveraging his position in Tinubu’s cabinet to maintain relevance. However, the APC leadership appears determined to curtail his influence, insisting that party structures must remain intact and that governors should lead without interference.

This feud has intensified speculation about the future of Rivers politics. Analysts suggest that Wike’s resistance to APC conventions could fracture the party’s unity in the South-South region, while others argue that his political maneuvering is aimed at preserving his legacy and influence beyond his tenure as governor.

Meanwhile, Governor Fubara’s position within the APC remains delicate, as he navigates loyalty to the party leadership while contending with Wike’s shadow over Rivers politics.

Ultimately, the battle between Wike and Basiru underscores the fragile balance of power within Nigeria’s ruling party. It raises critical questions about the extent of ministerial influence in state politics, the authority of governors within party structures, and the role of President Tinubu in mediating internal conflicts.

As tensions rise, Rivers State remains at the center of a political storm that could reshape alignments within the APC and redefine Wike’s place in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.