A significant political conflict has erupted in Rivers State, drawing in prominent figures such as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru. This public war of words is rooted in the shifting political landscape of Rivers State, particularly following Governor Siminalayi Fubara's defection to the APC and Wike's outspoken opposition to his re-election ambition.

The current round of political drama began with sharp exchanges involving Wike, Senator Basiru, and Chief Victor Giadom, the APC National Vice Chairman (South-South). Giadom sparked controversy by referring to Governor Fubara as a “so-called Governor” at a political gathering in Gokana Local Government Area and stating that anyone seeking electoral success in the area must first obtain the approval of the former Rivers State governor, implicitly referring to Wike. He also claimed that Fubara could not secure a second term without Wike’s backing, comments widely viewed as disrespectful and inflammatory.

Reacting to Giadom’s remarks, APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, publicly rebuked the South-South vice chairman, describing his comments as “unfortunate” and unbecoming of a member of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC). Basiru emphasized that the office of a sitting governor must be respected, regardless of political allegiances or internal disagreements, noting that the governorship is an “exalted position” that should not be diminished for political convenience.

However, Basiru’s intervention did not sit well with Wike. During a thank-you visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area, Wike, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), issued a stern warning to the APC scribe, cautioning him to stay away from Rivers State politics. Wike accused unnamed political actors of exploiting the alleged N600 billion left in Rivers State’s coffers to make reckless statements. He specifically referenced Giadom’s comments and warned Basiru against making what he described as careless remarks about Rivers affairs, declaring Rivers State a “no-go area” for political interference.

The war of words escalated further when Basiru responded from Abuja, accusing Wike of attempting to destabilize the APC. Basiru expressed shock that his call for respect for sitting governors could provoke what he described as “uncouth responses” from a serving member of the Federal Executive Council. He insisted that it was incompatible for Wike to remain in the cabinet of an APC-led government while allegedly fomenting internal crisis within the party, stating, “The honourable thing to do is to resign his appointment as Minister.” Basiru further argued that Wike lacked the authority to interfere in the party’s internal affairs, stressing that party records did not list the FCT minister as a registered APC member. He warned Wike against importing the “spirit and culture of the PDP” into the APC.

The APC national leadership has weighed in on the matter, formally affirming Governor Fubara as the party’s leader in Rivers State. APC National Chairman Prof Nentawe Yilwatda clarified that any sitting governor on the party’s platform automatically becomes its leader in that state, in line with the APC constitution. He stated that the party would engage only with Governor Fubara, who formally defected to the APC in December 2025 and was issued membership card number 001, on matters concerning party affairs and elections in Rivers State. This declaration effectively positions the APC national leadership against Wike’s continued assertion of control over political structures in the state.

The public exchange has been described by a senior APC official, speaking anonymously, as “deeply embarrassing” and warned that it could undermine the party’s credibility ahead of the 2027 general election. The official stressed that internal disagreements should be handled through established party mechanisms to avoid projecting disunity. Nduka Odo, a public affairs analyst, characterized the unfolding crisis as a classic example of an elite power struggle, reflecting deeper structural weaknesses in party discipline and internal conflict-resolution mechanisms. Odo argued that the provocative language used by key actors escalates tension and makes reconciliation more difficult, urging the APC to urgently de-escalate the conflict by moving discussions away from the media.

Rivers-based political analyst Comrade David-West Benewarie David suggested that the APC national leadership must take concrete steps to hand over the party’s structures to Governor Fubara during forthcoming congresses. Similarly, Professor Kenneth Nweke, a political science and governance expert, urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene and resolve the standoff, noting that the president is the only one who can effectively coordinate both camps for his 2027 re-election. Despite the ongoing tensions, Wike continues to publicly identify as a PDP member while affirming his support for President Tinubu.