Rivers political feud: “My support for Tinubu is total,” Wike says
By Kunle Sanni- Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has reaffirmed his “total support” for President Bola Tinubu, as tensions continue to rise over political control in Rivers State.
In a post on X on Tuesday, Wike said he was continuing his political tour of local government areas (LGAs) in Rivers, announcing visits to Akuku-Toru and Degema LGAs. He stated that the communities, like others he had visited, were fully aligned with President Tinubu.
“Yesterday, we were in Oyigbo and Ogu-Bolo LGAs. Today, we will be in Akuku-Toru and Degema LGAs. Here, it is local politics, and our support for Mr President is total”,Wike wrote.
Wike’s remarks come amid an escalating feud with Ajibola Basiru, national secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), over political developments in Rivers State.
On Monday, Basiru called on Wike to resign from his position as FCT minister and concentrate on what he described as an “obsession” with Rivers politics. His statement followed a warning from Wike, who accused Basiru of interfering in the state’s affairs and cautioned that his “hands will burn” if he continued.
The dispute was further fueled by comments from Victor Giadom, APC national vice-chairman (south-south), who publicly backed Wike in his ongoing rift with Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers State. Giadom described Wike as central to the APC’s electoral success in the state.
“To the so-called governor of Rivers state, to win anything in this state, you must go through Wike,” Giadom said.
Basiru condemned the remark, warning Giadom against disparaging Fubara or any sitting governor. He described the statement as unbecoming of a member of the APC national working committee and urged restraint.
Reacting on Monday, Wike viewed Basiru’s criticism of Giadom as partisan interference and warned the APC national secretary to stay out of Rivers politics.
“Carrying your hands to Rivers state, if they burn, don’t say I burnt it. I can challenge anybody; this state is a no-go area, whether you like it or not. Don’t dare. So, stop making unnecessary comments,” Wike said.
