There is no letup in the war of words over Governor Siminalayi Fubara as the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, yesterday demanded an immediate resignation of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to enable him concentrate on his obsession with Rivers State politics.
In his official reply to the minister’s personal attack on him, the ruling party’s chief scribe expressed shock that his innocuous statement that all members of the NWC must accord any sitting governor his due respect and that the governors remain leaders of the party in their various states “can elicit such uncouth responses from no less than a member of the Federal Executive Council.”
On Sunday, Basiru had warned the party’s National Vice-Chairman, South-South, Victor Giadom, to stop disrespecting Governor Fubara to please Wike.
The warning was sequel to Giadom’s comments on December 30, 2025, during Wike’s ‘thank you’ visit to Gokana Local Government Area, where he referred to Fubara as a ‘so-called governor.” He was also quoted to have said that for Fubara to get anything in the state, he must go through the FCT minister.
Wike, while taking exception to Basiru’s comments, asked Giadom to tell the APC scribe to stay clear of Rivers politics ‘for his own good.’
“Tell your national secretary to leave Rivers alone, and don’t take our support for Mr President for granted. You have to be careful of the statement you made,” he said.
The former Rivers State governor also warned those meddling in the politics of the state because of the alleged N600 billion in the state treasury to stay clear.
He stated that when the people of the state were struggling to support President Bola Tinubu in 2023, nobody supported them.
The minister, who described Rivers as “a no go area”, challenged those he described as greedy politicians to stay away from the state.
“Take the one you have taken and stop making unnecessary comments.
“We have taken a decision to support Mr. President and that is exactly what we are doing. When we agreed to support Tinubu in 2023, nobody forced us.
“Now, food is ready and everybody is coming, but when it was hot, nobody was saying anything. Leave Rivers state alone.”
Reacting in a statement he personally signed, Basiru warned that Wike, who is not a member of the APC, lacks the locus to dabble into the affairs of the ruling party.
He also took exception to allegations by Wike referring to a certain N600 billion largesse in the Rivers State for which he (Basiru) and other APC leaders are scrambling for.
He explicitly told Wike that his support for President Tinubu does not automatically translate to making him a member of the APC, warning that his attempt to destabilise Rivers APC will not be tolerated and cannot bring the spirit of PDP into the APC.
Wike’s warning to Basiru to stay clear of Rivers politics made during his “thank you” visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state was made barely a week after he had also told National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma and Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo to steer clear of Rivers State politics.
Last Saturday, Wike had said during a stakeholders’ meeting in Okrika LGA that his political career would be ruined if Governor Fubara secures a second term in 2027.
“We have made a decision as far as Tinubu is concerned. The other one (Fubara) — no way. Because if we make another mistake, then we will go and bury ourselves politically. I will not allow myself to be buried. I will not allow that mistake again. So everybody should know we have made a decision,” he said.
•Basiru fires back
The statement by the national secretary read: “My attention has been drawn to the tirade of the Minister of the FCT against my person and my office as the National Secretary of the APC.
“This is as regards my position that all members of the NWC must accord any sitting Governor his due respect and that the Governors remain the leaders of the Party in their States. It is shocking that such an innocuous statement can elicit such uncouth responses from no less than a member of the Federal Executive Council.
“For the avoidance of doubt, our records indicate that Minister Nyesom Wike is not a member of our party (APC) so he lacks the locus to dabble into the affairs of our party. And as National Secretary of the APC, I am imbued with the responsibility to protect the interests of the party and all its members and structures.
“Hence, my comments regarding the affairs of the APC in Rivers State CANNOT be an undue interference in the affairs of Rivers State. As National Secretary, my activities cannot be confined to my home state, Osun State.
“I also take exception to Wike’s reference to a certain N600 billion largesse in the State for which I and other APC leaders are scrambling. This is nothing but cheap blackmail which has become his stock-in-trade.
“My background, track-record is that of unquestionable integrity and I challenge him to prove his allegations or we may meet in court. As to his veiled threat against me, let me remind WIKE that he is not God and may be overplaying his political card.
“My faith is in God and will not succumb to cheap threats such as the one from Wike. I am one of the young Nigerians that confronted military rule, fighting for democracy, when the likes of Wike were nowhere in sight.
“Let me also remind Nyesom Wike that his support for President Tinubu, does not automatically make him a member of the APC. Millions of non-APC Nigerians also support Mr. President and his own is no different.
“His attempt to destabilise our party in Rivers State will not be tolerated and he cannot bring the spirit of PDP into the APC.
“Finally, my advice to Nyesom Wike is that he cannot be in the Federal Executive Council of an APC-led government and be causing confusion within any organ or structure of the party at any level, using the leverage of that same office. The honourable thing to do is to resign his appointment as Minister,” he advised him.
Meanwhile, the FCT minister, during the thank you visit, thanked the people of Oyigbo, noting that there was no time he ‘begged’ them for something and they did not oblige.
Earlier, Chairman of Oyigbo Local Government Council, Mr. Okechukwu Agara, expressed his people’s gratitude to the minister for all he had done for them.
“For all that you have done for us, we will continue to support you. Just say the word, we will hear and will do exactly what you want us to do,” Agara said.
Also, Mr. Felix Nweke, representing Tai, Oyigbo and Eleme Federal Constituency, assured Wike that the council area would continue to support him, any day, any time.
Nweke alleged that development in the area had stagnated since Wike left office as governor in 2023.
Meanwhile, former Nigerian Ambassador to South Korea and Coordinator of Renewed Hope Ambassadors in Rivers State, Desmond Akawor, has accused Governor Fubara of halting development in Oyigbo Local Government Area since taking office in 2023.
Residents of Oyigbo, he said, voted overwhelmingly for Fubara expecting continuity in the infrastructure push that marked Wike’s tenure. Instead, the local government has seen no progress.
“Permit me to speak frankly. If these things are not said now, they may never be said,” Akawor declared. “We elected Governor Siminalayi Fubara with the expectation that Oyigbo would benefit meaningfully from development. Your Excellency, development in Oyigbo has stalled. We have not moved an inch forward. The only tangible benefit Oyigbo has received is a commissioner’s slot, which was given to me. Beyond that, nothing substantial has come to our people.”
The criticism comes amid reports of N600 billion in Rivers State’s treasury. Akawor warned against excluding Oyigbo from any allocations, demanding equity in fund distribution.
“We are not asking for favors; we are asking for fairness. Some people who do not contribute or support the process cannot continue to dominate the benefits. That cannot be allowed,” he insisted. “All Oyigbo stakeholders present here have spoken with one voice. The few aides with him already know our position.”
Akawor used the occasion to laud Wike’s legacy, crediting him with freeing Oyigbo from Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) sit-at-home enforcements.
“You restored normalcy and ensured that no Rivers person was profiled or harassed by IPOB. For that alone, we are deeply grateful,” he said. “Our people are not dissatisfied with what you have done for us. Far from it, we are grateful; we are thankful. You entrusted me with mobilization responsibilities, and I acknowledge that confidence.”
Credit: The Sun