The plan by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to frustrate the 2027 re‑election bid of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, appears to have hit a snag, as several All Progressives Congress (APC) governors threw their weight behind the embattled governor.
Multiple APC sources told Punch on Monday that renewed tensions between Wike and Fubara were triggered by the decision of some top APC governors to support the Rivers governor’s second-term ambitions.
According to party insiders, the APC leadership’s backing of Fubara has strengthened his standing within the party’s hierarchy. Many governors and national leaders have praised the development projects being implemented across Rivers State under his watch.
This growing support for Fubara, sources said, has compounded Wike’s political challenge, undercutting his effort to influence the APC’s political direction in Rivers and beyond.
Trouble, party insiders say, began when Wike’s camp moved to back Samuel Anyanwu, the former National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the next governor of Imo State, purportedly without consulting the incumbent APC governor, Hope Uzodimma.
Uzodimma, who is also Chairman of the APC Governors Forum, was reportedly infuriated by the development.
Following that episode, some APC governors are said to have mobilised colleagues against Wike’s perceived overreach in opposition to Fubara’s political aspirations.
A senior APC official told Punch on Monday night, “The plan is to weaken the FCT minister in his home state and reduce his influence and political power. This was further compounded by the fact that Wike is reportedly not favoured by some powerful members of the Tinubu administration. So, some APC governors mobilised their colleagues to support Fubara, and the result is what is playing out in the form of the renewed hostilities between the two men.”
Another insider disclosed that Fubara had been emboldened by the APC governors’ promised backing for his re-election bid, which explains his readiness to challenge the FCT minister’s political strength in the state.
Meanwhile, the APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, and Wike on Monday traded words over Rivers politics and the minister’s insistence that he would not support Fubara for a second term.
In a statement, Basiru asked the former Rivers State governor to resign from his ministerial position and focus on what he described as his obsession with Rivers State politics.
He said he was unfazed by what he termed veiled threats from the minister, insisting that his political background had prepared him to withstand intimidation.
In an interview with Sunday Punch, Basiru declared his support for Fubara amid ongoing confrontations between him and Wike.
Naija News reports that Basiru also cautioned the South-South Chairman of the APC, Victor Giadom, against making derogatory remarks about Fubara or any other governor, stating that members of the party’s National Working Committee should not take sides in a political crisis.
Giadom had said Fubara could not succeed in the state without Wike’s support.
While noting that Wike is the only dominant political figure in Gokana LG, where he hails from, Giadom described the minister as a dependable leader.
He further stated that his influence in the LG remained unchallenged and essential for any political inroad or success in the area.
“I guarantee, on behalf of my brothers, that the Gokana people are for Wike and Tinubu, and nobody will challenge Wike’s influence in Gokana.
“Gokana is a ‘no-go area’ for anybody, even the so-called Governor, for him to win anything in Gokana, he must pass through Wike,” the APC chieftain stated, a position that irritated Basiru, who, in a statement, berated Giadom for belittling Fubara.
Basiru, speaking late last year at the inauguration of the newly completed Permanent Secretaries’ Quarters in the Elimgbu community in the Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, called on the people of Rivers State to rally behind the ruling party and support President Bola Tinubu and Governor Fubara in the 2027 general elections.
Basiru also praised Fubara for his commendable governance strides and high-quality project delivery.
However, Wike, during his thank-you visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State on Monday, warned Basiru to steer clear of the state’s politics.
Wike said, “Let me warn those who come to Rivers State, because you have heard that we have N600bn, you come here, you collect, and you open your mouth to talk anyhow.
“I say it here, take this message to your National Secretary, leave Rivers State alone. Go and ask those who have done it before. Please don’t take our support for Mr President for granted. You have to be careful with the statements you make.
“Today, you are enjoying in Osun, you don’t know those who did the work. You are opening your mouth to talk about Rivers State. Anything you see, take it.
“Go and ask other people what has happened to them before. If your hand burns, no be me burn am o (I’m not the now who burnt them). This state is a no-go area. Take the one you have taken, stop making unnecessary comments.”
Responding to Wike’s comments in a statement he personally signed on Monday, Basiru said the minister lacked the authority to interfere in the affairs of the ruling party, stressing that Wike was not a member of the APC.
Basiru maintained that contrary to Wike’s impression, he had the authority to oversee affairs of the APC across the country as the national secretary of the party.
He said, “From my record, he isn’t a member of APC. I don’t see which authority or temerity he has to be dabbling in APC affairs.
“I am the National Secretary of APC, and I don’t see any basis for him to be making comments about my activities either in Rivers State or in any part of Nigeria.
“As the National Secretary of the party, my activities aren’t confined to Osun State, contrary to his wrong impression.
“I am the head of the National Secretariat of the APC. So, he has no locus whatsoever to engage me in any political activity that concerns the APC until he joins the party.”
Basiru also dismissed allegations linking him to any interest in Rivers State funds, describing the claims as baseless and inconsistent with his record.
He said, “I take strong exception to his allusion that I am interested in the ₦600bn allocations of Rivers State. My records of service are those of integrity and commitment to service. I am not an opportunist, and I have never shied away from taking principled positions on any matter, no matter whose ox is gored.
“I am one of the young Nigerians who confronted military dictatorship. I can’t be bullied by anybody, no matter how highly placed. My records as National Secretary are above board, and I can’t be queried by somebody who isn’t a member of APC.”
