Tension inside Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) deepened on Monday as the party’s National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, accused Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, of trying to destabilise the party — and urged him to resign from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet.
Basiru said Wike could not serve in an APC-led government while allegedly interfering in the party’s internal affairs, insisting that the former Rivers State governor “lacks the locus” to speak on APC matters.
“He cannot be in the Federal Executive Council of an APC Government and be causing confusion within any organ or structure of the Party,” Basiru said in a statement. “The honourable thing to do is to resign his appointment as Minister.”
Clash over Rivers politics
The growing feud followed Wike’s warning to Basiru to stay away from Rivers State politics after comments credited to APC Vice Chairman (South-South), Victor Giadom, who had reportedly dismissed Governor Siminalayi Fubara as a “so-called governor”.
Basiru had condemned the remark, saying every sitting governor deserved respect regardless of political disagreements.
Wike, during a visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area, accused some politicians of exploiting reports that Rivers State had N600 billion in its coffers and warned outsiders not to “open their mouths to talk anyhow” about the state.
He declared Rivers a “no-go area” for political interference and cautioned that those ignoring the warning might face consequences.
‘Wike is not a member of APC’
Basiru pushed back strongly, arguing that Wike — a former PDP governor who openly backs President Tinubu — had no authority to meddle in the party’s structures.
“Our records indicate that Minister Nyesom Wike is not a member of our Party,” he said. “He lacks the standing to dabble into the affairs of the APC.”
He dismissed Wike’s claim that APC leaders were chasing a N600 billion largesse as “cheap blackmail”, challenging the minister to provide proof — or risk legal action.
Basiru also criticised what he described as veiled threats, saying he would not be intimidated.
“Wike is not God and may be overplaying his political card,” he warned.
Support for Tinubu ‘doesn’t equal APC membership’
While acknowledging Wike’s public support for President Tinubu, Basiru stressed that this did not automatically make him part of the ruling party.
“Millions of non-APC Nigerians support the President,” he said. “His attempt to destabilise our Party in Rivers State will not be tolerated.”
The exchange marks one of the strongest public confrontations yet between Wike and senior APC figures, highlighting ongoing tensions over power and control in Rivers State politics.
