The National Secretary, All Progressives Congress, Ajibola Basiru, has said that former Rivers State Governor, Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is being actively engaged in efforts to achieve an amicable resolution of the political crisis in Rivers State, despite not being a registered member of the party.
He stated this on Thursday while speaking on TVC’s programme, Beyond The Headlines, noting that Wike’s backing of President Bola Tinubu and his strategic importance to political developments in the state make his participation essential to the ongoing reconciliation efforts.
Following more than a year of political rifts with former Governor Wike over control of the party structure in Rivers State, Govvernor Siminalayi Fubara officially defected from the PDP to the ruling APC on December 9.
The switch was broadly interpreted as a major political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
His defection came after several prominent members of the Rivers State House of Assembly had already moved to the APC, bringing an end to his long association with the PDP and establishing him as the party’s central figure in the state.
Reacting afterward, Wike publicly faulted Fubara for allegedly breaking prior agreements and questioned his chances of securing another term in office.
The FCT Minister also argued that Fubara does not enjoy genuine backing within the APC, maintaining that he is being misadvised and stands little chance of winning the 2027 governorship race in the oil-producing state.
In an unexpected development, even though the majority of the Rivers State House of Assembly members belong to the APC like the governor, they declared the commencement of impeachment proceedings against Fubara on January 8, a step many observers linked to Wike’s influence.
However, the impeachment proceedings are currently stalled due to ongoing litigation.
When asked about the party’s stance on the Rivers State crisis, the APC National Secretary disclosed that quiet consultations are ongoing to address the situation.
He added that not every measure being taken will be made public through the media.
Basiru stated, “Of course, as you know, Wike is an avowed supporter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, even though not a member of the political party, and I well noted that also in my statement.
“So, as somebody who is interested in the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Rivers State is critical to that success, and of course, definitely he will be engaged, and he’s been engaged on an amicable resolution in the state as expected.”
APC National Secretary assured that the Rivers State crisis will be settled amicably, without winners or losers, and added that details of the resolution will be made public in the coming days.
In response to claims that only governors and other elites are joining the ruling party, Basiru explained that the APC is not an elite party, but one that represents the general populace.
Basiru continued, “The APC is a very serious political party. We are a mass-based organization, and going by the figures, which of course I will not disclose, from our Mass-based e-registration system, we are sure that APC is a party to beat in all elections.
We are loved by the Nigerian people, and they are trooping out to join the APC.
“We have made tremendous progress in the registration of new members that we have embarked upon, but I won’t go into the figures. We are very comfortable that we are not an elite organization. Our tradition is socio-democratic, pro-people, and we are working to strengthen our party. Like I have said on several occasions, we are mobilizing, conscientizing, and showing Nigerians why the pan-Nigerian political party, the APC, is the party to be in.
“Of course, we are resilient, and persistent in ensuring that we pass our message and get people to join our political party. As I speak now, the mass of Nigerian people are joining our party in large numbers.”
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