The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has issued a stern warning to the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Ajibola Basiru, to desist from meddling in the political affairs of Rivers State, declaring the state a “no-go area” for external interference.
Wike handed down the warning on Monday during a thank-you visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, amid the deepening political tension surrounding the control and leadership structure of the ruling party in the state.
The former Rivers governor accused some political actors of speaking “recklessly” about the state after allegedly benefiting from about N600bn said to have been left in the state’s coffers, insisting that such comments were capable of inflaming an already fragile political environment.
His outburst followed controversial remarks attributed to the APC Vice Chairman (South-South), Victor Giadom, who reportedly referred to Governor Siminalayi Fubara as “the so-called governor of Rivers State” during Wike’s recent visits to Khana and Gokana local government areas.
Giadom was also quoted as claiming that Fubara could not secure a second term without Wike’s backing, a statement that further fuelled tensions within the party.
Reacting to Giadom’s comments, Basiru had publicly distanced the APC national leadership from the remarks, describing them as “unfortunate” and stressing that the office of the governor must be respected irrespective of political disagreements.
In a Facebook post on Sunday, Basiru wrote, “I find it unfortunate that a member of the NWC was referring to a governor in our party as a ‘so-called governor of Rivers State’.
The office of the governor is an exalted position and whoever occupies it must be respected, regardless of political differences.”
However, Wike dismissed Basiru’s intervention, warning him to stay away from Rivers politics entirely.
The FCT minister cautioned that Rivers State was not a playground for careless statements or political grandstanding, vowing to confront anyone attempting to destabilise the state under the guise of party politics.
The latest exchange underscores the deepening rift within the APC in Rivers State, as rival factions continue to trade words over loyalty, influence and succession, barely months after the bitter political fallout between Wike and his successor, Governor Fubara.
Political observers warn that unless urgently managed, the escalating war of words could further polarise the party and complicate governance in the oil-rich state.
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