THE National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has stated 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 Rivers governor is not a member of the APC.
Basiru made the assertion in response to remarks by Wike, who had warned him to stay away from Rivers State politics.
In a statement shared on the APC’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, the party scribe said APC records clearly show that Wike does not belong to the party and therefore lacks the legal standing to involve himself in its internal matters.
“For the avoidance of doubt, our records indicate that Minister Nyesom Wike is not a member of our party, and as such, he lacks the locus to dabble into the affairs of the APC,” Basiru said.
The former lawmaker explained that his position as National Secretary comes with the responsibility of safeguarding the interests of the party and its structures nationwide, stressing that his duties are not restricted to his home state of Osun.
“As National Secretary, my responsibility is to protect the party and its members across the country. My comments on issues concerning the APC in Rivers State cannot be described as interference, and my role cannot be confined to Osun State alone,” he added.
The exchange follows a warning issued by Wike during a thank-you visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he cautioned Basiru to refrain from commenting on the state’s political affairs.
Wike’s remarks came after Basiru had publicly criticised the APC’s National Vice Chairman (South-South), Victor Giadom, for allegedly disrespecting Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Giadom had, during Wike’s visit to Gokana Local Government Area on December 30, 2025, described Fubara as a “so-called governor” and suggested that any political success in the state must pass through Wike.
Reacting to Basiru’s intervention, Wike warned that continued involvement in Rivers politics could have consequences, adding that he would report the matter to President Bola Tinubu.
He also cautioned political actors against meddling in the state’s affairs, alleging that the interest was driven by access to Rivers’ financial resources.
The FCT minister maintained that Rivers State remains politically sensitive and urged party officials to focus on their respective areas, stressing that his support for President Tinubu was voluntary and should not be taken for granted.