Political tensions resurfaced in Rivers State on Monday as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, publicly addressed remarks made by the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajibola Basiru, concerning developments within the state.
Speaking during a thank-you visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area, Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, warned Basiru to refrain from making statements on the state’s political situation. He said recent comments by some political figures had been reckless, attributing the renewed interest in Rivers politics to reports of substantial funds remaining in the state’s treasury.
The warning followed a disagreement within the APC hierarchy after the party’s Vice Chairman for the South-South, Victor Giadom, referred to Governor Siminalayi Fubara as “the so-called Governor” during a public engagement. Giadom was also quoted as saying that Fubara would require Wike’s backing to secure a second term in office.
Basiru later criticised Giadom’s remarks in a post on Facebook, describing them as inappropriate. He stated that the office of a sitting governor should be accorded respect, irrespective of internal party loyalties or political disagreements.
“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 wrote. “No matter what his allegiances are to anybody, it is unbecoming of somebody holding such a sensitive position.”
Reacting to Basiru’s intervention, Wike expressed displeasure and cautioned the APC national secretary against involvement in Rivers State politics. He described the state as off-limits to external political interference and warned that disregard for the caution could attract consequences.
Wike urged Basiru to reflect on past political experiences in the state, advising restraint in public commentary relating to Rivers affairs.
