- The APC confirmed that FCT Minister Nyesom Wike had played an active role in ongoing efforts to resolve the political crisis in Rivers State
- APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru said consultations were held discreetly, assuring that the crisis would be resolved amicably without winners or losers
- The intervention followed escalating tensions between Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara, including stalled impeachment moves amid legal battles
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has confirmed that former Rivers State Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, is actively involved in efforts to resolve the protracted political crisis in Rivers State, despite not being a registered member of the ruling party.
This disclosure was made on Thursday by the APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, during an interview on TVC’s Beyond The Headlines. Basiru acknowledged Wike’s enduring influence in Rivers State politics and his open support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as key reasons for his involvement in the reconciliation process.
“Of course, as you know, Wike is an avowed supporter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, even though not a member of the political party,” Basiru said. Rivers State is critical to President Tinubu's success, and he will definitely be engaged. He’s been engaged in an amicable resolution in the state as expected.”
Basiru noted that consultations on the crisis are largely conducted behind closed doors, stressing that not all steps taken will be made public. According to him, discretion is necessary to ensure a peaceful outcome. He, however, assured Nigerians that the crisis would be resolved amicably, without producing winners or losers, and promised that details of the settlement would be made public in due course.
Responding to criticisms that the APC is increasingly perceived as an elite-driven party dominated by governors and political heavyweights, Basiru rejected the claim, insisting that the party remains mass-oriented.
“The APC is a very serious political party. We are a mass-based organisation, and going by the figures from our mass e-registration system, we are confident that APC is a party to beat in all elections,” he said. “The Nigerian people love us, and they are trooping out to join the APC.”
He further described the APC as a socio-democratic, pro-people party committed to mobilisation and political consciousness, adding that increasing numbers of Nigerians are aligning with the party nationwide.
Basiru’s remarks come amid a long-standing political feud between Wike and the incumbent Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, over control of the state’s political structure. Tensions escalated following Fubara’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC on December 9, 2025, a development widely seen as a major realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Fubara’s defection followed similar moves by several members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, effectively ending his long association with the PDP and positioning him as the APC’s central figure in the state. However, Wike later accused the governor of reneging on prior agreements and questioned his political viability within the APC.
In a dramatic turn of events, a majority of Rivers State House of Assembly members aligned with the APC initiated impeachment proceedings against Fubara on January 8, 2026. The move, widely believed to be influenced by Wike’s political clout, has since been stalled due to ongoing litigation, leaving the state’s political future uncertain as reconciliation efforts continue.