Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has declared his “total support” for President Bola Tinubu amid an ongoing rift with Ajibola Basiru, national secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a post on X on Tuesday, Wike, who has been touring local government areas in Rivers State, said his next stops were Akuku-Toru and Degema LGAs, adding that both communities are firmly behind Tinubu.
“Yesterday, we were in Oyigbo and Ogu-Bolo LGAs. Today, we will be in Akuku-Toru and Degema LGAs,” Wike wrote.
“Here, it is local politics, and our support for Mr President is total.”
Earlier developments
Wike’s remarks come amid a public dispute with Basiru over political developments in Rivers State.
On Monday, Basiru asked Wike to resign his ministerial position and focus on what he described as an “obsession” with Rivers politics.
Basiru made the call after Wike warned him to stay out of Rivers affairs, threatening that his “hands will burn” if he continued to interfere.
Last week, Victor Giadom, APC national vice-chairman (south-south), threw his weight behind Wike amid the feud between the FCT minister and Rivers State governor Siminalayi Fubara, saying Wike remains central to winning elections in the state.
“To the so-called governor of Rivers state, to win anything in this state, you must go through Wike,” Giadom said.
The comment drew criticism from Basiru, who cautioned Giadom against what he described as insulting language directed at Fubara.
“I find it unfortunate that a member of the NWC, who is the vice-chairman of the south-south zone of the APC, was referring to a governor in our party as a ‘so-called governor of Rivers state’,” Basiru said.
“No matter what his allegiances are to anybody, it is unbecoming of somebody holding such a sensitive position, and it should not be encouraged by anybody.”
Wike, who viewed Basiru’s response as interference, warned the APC national secretary on Monday against taking sides in Rivers politics.
“Carrying your hands to Rivers state, if they burn, don’t say I burnt it. I can challenge anybody; this state is a no-go area, whether you like it or not. Don’t dare. So, stop making unnecessary comments,” Wike said.
The FCT minister’s opposition to Fubara has put him at odds with some members of the APC.
He recently dismissed a commendation by Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser, who said Tinubu was pleased with Fubara’s performance.
Wike began openly campaigning against Fubara’s re-election after the governor defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC in December.
He has accused Fubara of reneging on an agreement they both signed before Tinubu lifted the emergency rule imposed on Rivers State.
