The All Progressives Congress (APC) has broken its silence on the political crisis in Rivers State, disclosing that behind-the-scenes negotiations are ongoing to resolve the rift between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
The APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, made this known while speaking on TVC News’ Beyond the Headlines, offering insight into the party’s strategy amid the tension in the oil-rich state. He said that while the public is focused on court cases, impeachment threats, and heated exchanges, key efforts to stabilize the situation are being carried out away from public view.
Addressing concerns over the perceived silence of the APC national leadership as Governor Fubara, now seen as aligned with the party, faces political pressure, Basiru said meaningful political engagement is rarely conducted through press statements. Drawing from his experience, he noted that critical political decisions are often taken discreetly, describing politicians as “nocturnal animals” who do their most consequential work out of the public eye.
He assured that the party is committed to an amicable settlement of the Rivers crisis, stressing that the goal is a resolution in which there would be “no victor and no vanquished.”
Basiru acknowledged the central role of Nyesom Wike in the reconciliation process, despite the FCT minister remaining a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He described Wike as a critical stakeholder and a strong supporter of President Bola Tinubu, adding that the minister is being actively engaged to achieve a harmonious outcome. According to him, Rivers State is vital to the overall success of the Tinubu administration.
The comments signal a thaw in relations between the APC leadership and Wike, following a public disagreement months earlier when Basiru suggested the minister should resign if he could not align with the administration’s objectives. Basiru said those tensions have since eased, with attention now focused on the party’s broader political agenda ahead of 2027.
He also linked the Rivers reconciliation efforts to the APC’s recent expansion, noting that the party’s number of governors has risen from 20 to 29 in recent months. Basiru dismissed claims that the defections, including that of the Kano State governor, were induced by financial incentives, attributing the party’s growth instead to President Tinubu’s leadership style and a culture of political compromise.
