A full-blown political confrontation has erupted between the National Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, with each side trading barbs that have sent ripples across Nigeria’s political landscape.
In a strongly worded press release signed Monday, Basiru accused Wike, a former Governor of Rivers State, of undue interference in the internal affairs of the APC, particularly in Rivers State politics, and called on him to “immediately resign” from his ministerial position if he could not stop what he described as continuous destabilisation of the party.
Basiru’s statement followed a public exchange between Wike and several APC figures over recent political comments concerning Governors and party leadership structures. Basiru reiterated the APC position that all members of the National Working Committee (NWC) must respect sitting governors regardless of political differences, and he derided Wike’s responses as uncouth for a member of the Federal Executive Council.
He also stressed that Wike is not a member of the APC — despite his vocal support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu — and therefore lacks the locus standi to intervene in party matters, especially in Rivers State. Basiru stated he is duty-bound as APC national secretary to safeguard the interests of the party and that his actions are in line with his responsibilities.
Basiru further dismissed allegations linked to an alleged ₦600 billion largesse in Rivers state budgets — a point raised by Wike — calling it “cheap blackmail” and challenging Wike to substantiate his claims in court if he could. He also rejected suggestions that he was personally pursuing Rivers state funds.
WIKE STRIKES BACK: ‘STAY OUT OF RIVERS POLITICS’
In turn, Wike has responded forcefully from Rivers State, where he was on a “thank-you” visit. The FCT minister admonished Basiru to “stay away from Rivers politics” and declared the state a “no-go area” for external politicking. Wike warned that meddling by outsiders — especially over perceived financial resources — would have consequences.
Using vivid language, Wike cautioned Basiru that “if your hand burns, don’t say na me burn am,” suggesting that political interference might backfire. He also insisted that support for President Tinubu in Rivers State did not equate to automatic APC membership or entitlement to influence local political dynamics.
Political analysts say this exchange reflects tensions within the APC and the political contest in Rivers State ahead of forthcoming elections. Rivers, a key political battleground, has seen high-profile disputes, including remarks by the APC’s South-South Vice Chairman about Governor Siminalayi Fubara, which Basiru labelled disrespectful and unbecoming of a senior party official.
Observers also note Wike’s persistent influence in Rivers politics — despite his cabinet position — has long been a source of friction with APC leaders who accuse him of operating with PDP-style factionalism within the APC fold. Basiru explicitly warned Wike not to “bring the spirit of PDP into APC.”
The public spat threatens to compound intra-party discord ahead of key elections, as the APC grapples with internal cohesion, especially in the South-South region where its political dominance is contested. Critics warn that if unresolved, such high-profile disagreements could undermine the party’s unity and electoral prospects.
For now, the political theatre continues, with both sides staking out firm positions — Basiru defending party orthodoxy and hierarchical discipline, and Wike asserting regional autonomy and warning against interference.
Below is Basiru’s official statement:
1. My attention has been drawn to the tirade of the Minister of the FCT against my person and my office as the National Secretary of the APC. This is as regards my position that all members of the NWC must accord any sitting Governor his due respect and that the Governors remain the leaders of the Party in their States. It is shocking that such an innocuous statement can elicit such uncouth responses from no less than a member of the Federal Executive Council.
2. 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 our Party. And as National Secretary of the APC, I am imbued with the responsibility to protect the interests of the Party and all its members and structures. Hence, my comments regarding the affairs of the APC in Rivers State CANNOT be an undue interference in the affairs of Rivers State. As National Secretary, my activities cannot be confined to my home state, Osun State.
3. I also take exception to Wike reference to a certain N600 billion largesse in the State for which I and other APC leaders are scrambling. This is nothing but cheap blackmail which has become his stock-in-trade. My background, track-record is that of unquestionable intergrity and I challenge him to prove his allegations or we may meet in court.
4. 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 will not succumb to cheap threats such as the one from WIKE. I am one of the young Nigerians that confronted Military rule, fighting for democracy, when the likes of Wike were nowhere in sight.
5. 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.
6. 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.
Signed Senator Ajibola Basiru Ph.D., BL
National Secretary, APC
