Wike–Basiru Feud Sparks Political Turmoil Within APC — Fubara Speaks

A new round of political drama involving Rivers State politics broke out on Monday between Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Following acrimonious interactions between Wike, APC National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru, and Chief Victor Giadom, the party’s National Vice Chairman (South-South), the development occurred.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who just switched from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, is the subject of the issue.

According to reports, Fubara seems to have gained favor with the party’s leadership since defecting to the APC.

Wike was not pleased with the praise given to his initiatives around the state by some members of the APC hierarchy.

The most recent development in Wike and Fubara’s feud occurred when Chief Victor Giadom labeled Governor Fubara a “so-called Governor” during a political event in Rivers State’s Gokana Local Government Area.

Giadom, the APC National Vice Chairman for the South-South zone, also proclaimed Gokana a “no-go area” for politicians, stating that anyone hoping to win an election there must first get the former governor of Rivers State’s consent.

Many saw the remarks as disrespectful to the governor’s office and incendiary in the already unstable political environment of Rivers, which prompted quick uproar in political circles.

Basiru chastises Gaidom.

The South-South vice chairman was publically chastised by APC National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru over Giadom’s remarks, calling them “unfortunate” and unfit for a member of the party’s National Working Committee, or NWC.

Basiru emphasized that the office of a sitting governor must be honored, irrespective of internal conflicts or political allegiances.

“It is regrettable that a NWC member referred to a governor as a “so-called governor of Rivers State,” Basiru stated.

“It is unbecoming of someone holding such a sensitive position, regardless of his allegiances.”

The governorship is “an exalted position” that shouldn’t be decreased for political reasons, Basiru continued, adding that even governors from opposition parties should be respected.

Wike shoots Basiru a caution.

But Wike did not approve of Basiru’s intervention.

The APC scribe received a severe warning from the present FCT minister, who is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), advising him to avoid becoming involved in Rivers State politics.

Speaking on Monday during a thank-you visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area, Wike charged anonymous political figures with using the purported N600 billion remaining in Rivers State’s treasury to make rash and divisive remarks.

The Minister notably cited remarks made by Giadom, restating assertions that Governor Fubara would not be able to win a second term without Wike’s support. He also cautioned Basiru against making what he called thoughtless remarks regarding Rivers matters.

In response, Basiru demands that Wike quit.

Many were shocked when Basiru answered with a sharply worded statement from Abuja, accusing Wike of trying to destabilize the APC, thus intensifying the verbal spat.

Basiru expressed surprise that a serving member of the Federal Executive Council would respond in what he called “uncouth ways” to his request for respect for current governors.

He maintained that Wike could not continue to serve in the cabinet of an APC-led administration while purportedly inciting internal strife within the party.

“The honorable thing to do is to resign his appointment as Minister,” Basiru declared. “He cannot be in the Federal Executive Council of an APC Government and be causing confusion within any organ or structure of the Party.”

The APC National Secretary emphasized that party records did not identify the FCT minister as a registered APC member, further arguing that Wike lacked the right to meddle in the party’s internal matters.

“Minister Nyesom Wike lacks the locus to meddle in our Party’s affairs because our records show that he is not a member of our Party APC,” Basiru said.

Fractures in the APC

A senior All Progressives Congress (APC) official responded to the occurrence by calling the public exchange “deeply embarrassing.” The official spoke on condition of anonymity owing to the delicate nature of the situation.

In advance of the 2027 general election, he cautioned that the ongoing verbal sparring could damage the APC’s reputation.

The official said that rather than using media pronouncements that portray division and undermine the party’s moral authority, internal disputes should be resolved through the party’s established procedures.

He also warned that the oil-rich Niger Delta state is still politically important to the APC and that if internal disputes are left unresolved, the party may suffer significant consequences.

The party leader asked everyone to put party unity ahead of individual power and aspirations.

“I must say unequivocally that the heated argument is needless and embarrassing. And it is seriously harming the party’s reputation rather than helping the APC,” the senior APC official stated.

“This kind of behavior, especially in a swing state like Rivers, will not only weaken our unity but also cost the party politically if it continues unchecked,” he continued.

Analyst: APC needs to de-escalate immediately.

In an interview, Nduka Odo, a communication specialist and public affairs analyst at Peaceland University in Enugu, characterized the current crisis as a prime illustration of an elite power struggle that has permeated the public sphere.

He claims that the dispute is a reflection of deeper structural flaws in internal dispute resolution procedures and party discipline.

Odo claimed that the rhetoric spoken by important parties in the conflict is especially concerning.

“A breakdown in internal communication and discipline is indicated when senior figures engage in open confrontation, and it invariably causes the public’s focus to shift from governance to personal rivalries.”

“Public ultimatums and statements that cast doubt on the legitimacy of a sitting governor are harmful because they are intended to incite rather than to settle disputes. Such language increases hostility and complicates the process of reconciliation.

“Going forward, the APC needs to immediately defuse this controversy by shifting the conversation away from the media and reiterating its internal dispute-resolution procedures.

He warned, “If the party doesn’t do this, it runs the risk of widening internal divisions and coming across to the public as disorganized and incapable of managing its own affairs.”