Wike has no locus in APC matters, Basiru declares
The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has declared that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has no right to interfere in the affairs of the ruling party in Rivers State, insisting that the former governor is not a member of the APC.
Basiru stated this in a post on the official X handle of the APC, responding to Wike’s warning that he should steer clear of Rivers State politics. The APC scribe said party records clearly showed that Wike was not a registered member of the party and therefore lacked the locus to dabble in its internal affairs.
“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 of our party,” Basiru said.
He further explained that as National Secretary of the APC, he was constitutionally empowered to protect the interests of the party, its members and structures across the country, adding that his responsibilities were not limited to his home state of Osun.
Basiru’s remarks followed a sharp rebuke from Wike, who had earlier asked him to leave Rivers politics alone. The FCT minister issued the warning during a thank-you visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area, after Basiru cautioned the APC National Vice Chairman, South-South, Victor Giadom, against what he described as disrespectful comments towards Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
The controversy stemmed from remarks made by Giadom on December 30, 2025, during Wike’s visit to Gokana Local Government Area, where he referred to Fubara as a “so-called governor” and suggested that anyone seeking political success in Rivers State must go through Wike.
Angered by Basiru’s intervention, Wike publicly warned him to stay away from Rivers State politics, threatening to escalate the matter to President Bola Tinubu. He cautioned that Rivers was a “no-go area” and accused political actors of attempting to meddle in the state because of alleged funds in its treasury.
Wike also defended his political alliance with President Tinubu, insisting that the support given to the President in 2023 was voluntary and should not be taken for granted. He urged those making comments about Rivers politics to desist, warning that there would be consequences for continued interference.