The ongoing rift involving former Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike, his successor Siminalayi Fubara, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) has continued to generate strong reactions, especially after comments by the party’s national secretary, Ajibola Basiru.
Basiru had insisted that Wike, an appointee who is not formally a member of the APC, should refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of both Rivers State and a party he does not belong to.
Speaking with New Daily Prime, Abdulateef Ahmed, a dgital news editor and research, described Basiru’s position as a necessary assertion of institutional boundaries.
He noted that Wike’s sustained political relevance is largely driven by the defection of his loyalists into the APC, a situation that enables him to wield indirect influence.
According to Ahmed, “Wike seeks to guide the actions of these loyalists in ways that maintain his control and visibility.” However, he warned that exercising influence without formal party membership is bound to create friction, particularly as the APC prepares for the 2027 general elections and works to reinforce internal discipline, authority, and cohesion.
Ahmed stressed the need to respect jurisdictional limits, pointing out that Wike’s constitutional responsibility is confined to the Federal Capital Territory. Effective governance, he argued, demands focus, and Wike’s continued involvement in Rivers State politics—especially when it appears destabilising—raises concerns about political overreach and misplaced priorities.
He explained that the crisis is not ideological but rooted in a struggle for power.
At its core, “it is a battle for control of Rivers State’s political structure. Wike is not just seeking influence; he wants to determine who holds authority, who succeeds whom, and where loyalty lies within the state.”
Beyond personal ambition, Ahmed noted that the dispute has broader implications, as Rivers State occupies a strategic position in the Niger Delta—a region where political instability can quickly escalate into security and economic challenges. Nigeria, he warned, cannot afford reckless political confrontations in such a sensitive zone. If unresolved, the power struggle could further threaten the already fragile peace in the region.
For the APC, mishandling the conflict could weaken its electoral prospects in Rivers State. At the national level, however, the party appears aware of the risks and is likely pursuing a strategic and lasting solution rather than allowing a local dispute to spiral into a national crisis.
While Wike still commands significant influence in Rivers State, Ahmed observed that political power is never static.
Growing public discomfort with Wike’s tactics has gradually shifted sympathy toward Governor Fubara, particularly after the governor’s strategic alignment with the APC.
That move altered the political landscape, granting Fubara access to the presidency, party leadership, and the advantages of incumbency. “In doing so, it disrupted an earlier succession plan, reportedly involving Speaker Martins Amaewhule, triggering defections, legislative tension, and renewed power struggles.”
Alliances are now shifting, with political actors closely watching for openings as both camps weaken each other. Within the APC, the defection of experienced Rivers lawmakers is already reshaping internal power dynamics.
Wike, Ahmed noted, remains a formidable force and should not be underestimated, but his apparent inability to step back may count against him, just as Amaewhule’s aggressive manoeuvres could prove costly.
Wike is also said to feel aggrieved after an alleged peace deal reportedly included Fubara agreeing not to seek a second term—an arrangement that would collapse if the APC grants the governor an automatic ticket. This, Ahmed said, has likely fueled frustration and early grassroots mobilisation under the banner of “thank-you visits.”
Ultimately, President Bola Tinubu remains the decisive factor. Known for his unpredictability and resistance to internal pressure, he is unlikely to back the impeachment of a sitting APC governor, given the political optics involved. Reports suggest he may push for another peace deal. Ahmed warned that if both the APC and the PDP miscalculate, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) could quietly benefit.
From the APC’s perspective, Ahmed concluded, tolerating such interference would set a dangerous precedent. The party’s firm response, therefore, is less about personal rivalry and more about protecting institutional integrity, consolidating party structures, and asserting collective authority over individual ambition as critical electoral cycles approach.
