By Ayomide Otitoju
The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has said the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has no right to interfere in the affairs of the ruling party in Rivers State, insisting that the former governor is not a member of the APC.
Basiru made the clarification in a statement posted on the official X handle of the APC, responding to Wike’s warning that he should stay out of Rivers State politics. He said party records showed that Wike did not belong to the APC and therefore lacked the standing to meddle in its internal matters.
“For the avoidance of doubt, our records indicate that Minister Nyesom Wike is not a member of our party (APC), so he lacks the locus to dabble into the affairs of our party,” Basiru stated.
The APC scribe added that his role as national secretary required him to protect the interests of the party and its structures nationwide, stressing that his responsibilities were not limited to his home state of Osun.
“Hence, my comments regarding the affairs of the APC in Rivers State cannot be an undue interference. As National Secretary, my activities cannot be confined to my home state,” he said.
Wike had earlier cautioned Basiru to steer clear of Rivers politics during a thank-you visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area, following comments by Basiru warning the APC National Vice Chairman (South-South), Victor Giadom, against allegedly disrespecting Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara in a bid to please Wike.
Basiru’s intervention followed remarks made by Giadom on December 30, 2025, during Wike’s visit to Gokana Local Government Area, where the party chieftain described Fubara as a “so-called governor” and suggested that any political success in the state must pass through Wike.
Reacting, Wike told Giadom to advise Basiru to stay away from Rivers politics, warning that previous attempts by outsiders to interfere in the state’s affairs had ended badly. He also said he would bring Basiru’s comments to the attention of President Bola Tinubu and other senior government officials.
The FCT minister further cautioned individuals he accused of meddling in Rivers politics because of alleged funds in the state’s treasury to desist, insisting that Rivers should be left alone. He said the state’s political actors had voluntarily supported President Tinubu in the 2023 elections and should not be taken for granted.
Describing Rivers as “a no-go area,” Wike urged party leaders to refrain from making what he called unnecessary comments, adding that the decision to support the president was freely made by Rivers stakeholders and should be respected.
