The growing political tension in Rivers State has intensified ahead of the 2027 elections, as several influential All Progressives Congress governors have reportedly thrown their weight behind Governor Siminalayi Fubara, dealing a setback to efforts by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to block his re-election bid.
Reliable sources within the APC told the media on Monday that the renewed confrontation between Wike and Fubara was triggered by support from top APC governors for Fubara’s second-term ambition, a move said to have angered the FCT minister, who is firmly opposed to it.
The situation was further strengthened by the backing of the APC leadership, with senior party figures said to have been impressed by Fubara’s projects and governance style across the state.
Crisis reportedly escalated after allies of Wike attempted to support the former National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Samuel Anyanwu, as the next governor of Imo State without consulting the state governor, Hope Uzodimma.
The development was said to have provoked Uzodimma, who serves as Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum, prompting some party governors to mobilise others against the FCT minister.
According to a senior APC source, “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 revealed that Fubara had gained more confidence following the promise of APC governors to back his re-election campaign, which has strengthened his resolve to challenge Wike’s political dominance in Rivers State.
Meanwhile, the APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, and Wike engaged in a heated exchange on Monday over Rivers politics and the minister’s refusal to support Fubara’s second-term ambition.
In a statement, Basiru urged Wike to resign from his ministerial post and concentrate on what he described as his obsession with Rivers State politics, insisting that he was not intimidated by the minister’s remarks.
Basiru had earlier voiced support for Fubara in an interview with Sunday PUNCH, cautioning the South-South APC Chairman, Victor Giadom, against making disparaging comments about the governor, and warning party officials against taking partisan positions in internal disputes.
Giadom had maintained that Fubara could not succeed without Wike’s backing, describing the minister as a “dependable leader” whose influence in Gokana Local Government Area remained decisive for political success in the region.
He declared, “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,” a position that drew criticism from Basiru.
Basiru, speaking during the commissioning of the Permanent Secretaries’ Quarters in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area last year, had called on Rivers people to support President Bola Tinubu and Governor Fubara in the 2027 elections, praising the governor’s governance achievements.
However, Wike, during a “thank-you” visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area on Monday, warned Basiru to desist from meddling in Rivers politics.
He 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 in a personally signed statement, Basiru insisted that Wike had no authority to interfere in APC affairs, stressing that he was not a member of the ruling party.
He stated, “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 dismissed insinuations that he was interested in Rivers State funds, describing the claims as unfounded and inconsistent with his personal integrity.
He added, “I take strong exception to his allusion that I am interested in the N600bn 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.’’
Debate over Fubara’s second-term ambition has persisted since the political crisis with Wike began. Following President Tinubu’s intervention, an agreement was reportedly reached, with some reports claiming that the governor would not seek re-election in 2027.
However, Basiru appeared to revive hope for Fubara’s political future, noting his recent alignment with the APC.
After weeks of political tension, Fubara formally defected from the PDP to the APC on December 9, shortly after several members of the Rivers State House of Assembly also joined the ruling party — a move widely regarded as a strategic realignment ahead of 2027.
In response, Wike has repeatedly criticised the governor, accusing him of reneging on agreements and questioning his re-election prospects, insisting that he lacks solid backing within the APC.
Supporting Wike, APC National Vice Chairman for the South-South, Victor Giadom, maintained that Fubara would have to contend with his predecessor if he intended to secure a fresh mandate.
Basiru, however, warned Wike against destabilising the ruling party, stating, “Finally, my advice to Nyesom Wike is that he cannot be in the Federal Executive Council of an APC 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 added that attempts to import PDP-style politics into the APC would not be tolerated and stressed that he would not be intimidated by threats.
He stated, “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 I will not succumb to cheap threats such as the one from Wike. I am one of the young Nigerians who 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 Bola Ahmed 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.”
Reacting to the exchange, the National Secretary of the Coalition for United Political Party, Peter Ameh, commended Basiru’s courage, alleging that Wike had undermined governance both in Rivers State and nationally.
He argued that Wike had already fulfilled his political usefulness to the APC and must now accept Fubara as party leader in the state.
Defending Wike, former Emuoha LGA Chairman, Dr Chidi Lloyd, said Basiru lacked the power to call for the minister’s resignation, insisting that only the President could do so.
Similarly, an ally of Wike, Chimelem Wodi, dismissed Basiru’s comments, insisting that the minister remained one of the best-performing appointees in the current administration.
In a related development, the Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof Ngozi Odu, and the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Benibo Anabraba, have both resigned from the PDP.
Odu has since registered as a member of the APC in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, while Anabraba described his decision to leave the PDP as personal, although he expressed appreciation for the opportunities he enjoyed during his membership.
Meanwhile, former Ambassador to South Korea and Coordinator of Renewed Hope Ambassadors in Rivers State, Desmond Akawor, criticised the current administration, alleging that development had stalled in Oyigbo LGA under Fubara’s leadership.
He claimed the community had expected continuity of development but had only benefited from a single commissioner appointment, warning that the N600 billion state treasury must be fairly utilised.
Prominent Niger Delta activist and member of the Rivers Elders Forum, Ann Kio-Briggs, condemned Wike’s vow to block Fubara’s re-election bid, describing it as a threat to Rivers people.
She argued that no individual could claim absolute political control and stressed that the people desire peace and the right to freely choose their preferred candidate in 2027.
Former Lagos APC spokesman, Joe Igbokwe, also appealed for unity within the ruling party, warning that the conflict between Wike and Basiru was an unnecessary distraction.
He urged party members to remain focused, noting that Wike remains a major political figure and influential stakeholder in the current administration.
