Significant tensions have erupted within the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following a heated exchange between two prominent party officials. The dispute centers on comments made by the party's South-South National Vice Chairman, Hon. Victor Giadom, regarding the Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, which were subsequently condemned by the APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru.

The controversy began last week during a thank-you visit to Gokana local government area of Rivers State by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. During this event, Hon. Victor Giadom described Governor Fubara as a “so-called governor of Rivers State,” a remark that sparked immediate internal party conflict.

Senator Ajibola Basiru, reacting to Giadom’s outburst on his verified Facebook handle, strongly condemned the language used, calling it “unbecoming” of a senior party officer and “disrespectful” to an elected state governor. Basiru expressed his disappointment, stating, “I find it unfortunate that a member of the NWC, who is the Vice Chairman of the South-South zone of the APC, was referring to a governor in our party as a ‘so-called governor of Rivers State’.” He emphasized that such conduct, regardless of personal allegiances, should not be encouraged, especially from someone holding a sensitive position within the party.

Basiru further asserted that elected offices must be accorded due respect, even in the face of political differences. He highlighted that even if a governor were not a member of the APC, referring to an elected official as a ‘so-called governor’ merely to please others is unacceptable. He underscored the sanctity of the governor's office, stating, “The office of the governor is an exalted position, and whoever is occupying it must be respected, irrespective of whatever political differences you have or whatever animosity exists between them.”

Giadom's controversial remarks were made during Wike’s Thank-You Visit last Tuesday, where he openly declared that Governor Fubara would need to go through FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to achieve any political success in Rivers State. Giadom lauded Wike as a “dependable leader” and asserted that Gokana LGA was firmly under Wike’s influence. He unequivocally stated, “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 Governor Fubara. For him to win anything in Gokana, he must pass through Wike.”

Giadom’s sentiments were echoed by several local APC leaders present at the event, including the Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Dumle Maol, and the Gokana local government area council chairman, Confidence Deko. Both officials pledged their unwavering loyalty to FCT Minister Wike and President Bola Tinubu, reinforcing the perception of Wike's strong influence in the region.

In response, Minister Wike thanked the people of Gokana for their steadfast support and urged them to maintain unity. He also reiterated that both APC and PDP members in Rivers State were collaboratively working together under President Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’, suggesting a broader political alignment despite intra-party disagreements.