…Wike said, “This is about local politics, and our support for Mr President is total.”
RIVERS, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has reiterated his full backing for President Bola Tinubu, stating that his political structure in Rivers State remains solidly behind the President.
Wike made this known on Tuesday via a post on X, where he outlined his ongoing tour of local government areas in Rivers State. He disclosed that after visits to Oyigbo and Ogu-Bolo LGAs, his consultations would continue in Akuku-Toru and Degema LGAs.
“Yesterday, we were in Oyigbo and Ogu-Bolo LGAs. Today, we will be in Akuku-Toru and Degema LGAs,” he wrote, adding, “This is about local politics, and our support for Mr President is total.”
His remarks come against the backdrop of rising tensions between him and the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajibola Basiru, over political control and influence in Rivers State.
On Monday, Basiru urged him to resign as FCT minister and focus on what he described as the minister’s preoccupation with Rivers politics. The comment followed Wike’s earlier warning to the APC scribe to steer clear of Rivers affairs, cautioning that his “hands would burn” if he continued to interfere.
The disagreement has further highlighted internal rifts within the APC in Rivers State, particularly amid the ongoing political face-off between Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Last week, the APC’s South-South National Vice Chairman, Victor Giadom, publicly threw his weight behind Wike, describing him as crucial to the party’s electoral fortunes in the state.
“To win anything in Rivers State, you must go through him,” Giadom said, referring to Governor Fubara as a “so-called governor.”
Basiru, however, condemned the remark, warning party leaders against using disparaging language toward elected governors or undermining their authority.
“I find it unfortunate that a member of the NWC, particularly the South-South vice chairman, would refer to a sitting governor in such terms,” Basiru said, stressing that such language was inappropriate for someone in a sensitive party position.
Wike interpreted Basiru’s stance as unwarranted interference in Rivers politics and responded with a stern warning.
“If you bring your hands into Rivers State and they burn, don’t say I burnt them. This state is a no-go area. Stop making unnecessary comments,” Wike said.
The FCT minister’s deepening rift with Governor Fubara has placed him at odds with some APC leaders, especially after Fubara defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC in December.
Wike has also brushed aside recent praise of Governor Fubara by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, who reportedly said President Tinubu was pleased with the governor’s performance.
Since Fubara’s defection, Wike has openly opposed the governor’s second-term bid, accusing him of breaching a political agreement allegedly reached before President Tinubu lifted the emergency rule earlier imposed on Rivers State.
As political tensions escalate, Rivers State remains a key battleground within the APC, with Wike’s influence, party loyalties, and control of grassroots structures continuing to shape the intensifying power struggle.
