Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has restated his firm allegiance to President Bola Tinubu, insisting that his political stronghold in Rivers State remains solidly behind the President despite growing internal party tensions.
Wike made this known on Tuesday through a post on X, where he shared details of his ongoing political engagements across Rivers State.
According to him, after holding meetings in Oyigbo and Ogu-Bolo Local Government Areas, his consultations were set to continue in Akuku-Toru and Degema LGAs.
Read also: Resign as minister and face Rivers politics, Basiru tells Wike
He described his activities as grassroots political engagement and emphasised that his loyalty to President Tinubu is unwavering. “This is about local politics, and our backing of Mr President is absolute,” he stated.
His remarks come at a time of heightened political friction between him and the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajibola Basiru, over influence and control in Rivers State. The tension escalated on Monday when Basiru publicly urged Wike to step down as FCT Minister and focus fully on Rivers politics, accusing him of being overly preoccupied with the state’s affairs.
Basiru’s comments followed a warning from Wike, who cautioned the APC secretary against meddling in Rivers State politics, saying such interference would have serious consequences. The exchange has highlighted deepening cracks within the APC, particularly in relation to the ongoing feud between Wike and Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
The internal divide was further exposed last week when the APC’s South-South Vice Chairman, Victor Giadom, openly threw his support behind Wike, describing him as central to the party’s electoral prospects in Rivers State. Giadom asserted that any political success in the state must involve Wike.
That statement drew criticism from Basiru, who condemned the language used to describe Governor Fubara and warned party officials against undermining sitting governors. Basiru described Giadom’s remarks as inappropriate, stressing that no party leader should refer to an elected governor in a derogatory manner.
Wike, however, interpreted Basiru’s intervention as interference and responded sharply, warning him to stay out of Rivers State politics.
He declared the state off-limits to external influence and insisted he would confront anyone who challenged his authority there.
Wike’s strained relationship with Governor Fubara has increasingly placed him at odds with segments of the APC, especially after the governor’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC in December. Since then, Wike has openly opposed Fubara’s re-election bid.
The FCT Minister has also rejected recent praise of Governor Fubara by Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser, who reportedly conveyed that President Tinubu was pleased with the governor’s performance.
Wike accused Fubara of violating a political understanding they allegedly reached before the President lifted the emergency rule previously imposed on the state.
As political calculations intensify, Rivers State continues to be a major battleground within the APC.
Wike’s enduring influence, his loyalty to President Tinubu, and his grip on grassroots political structures remain central to the evolving struggle for power in the state.
