Tensions within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have intensified, with senior party figures warning President Bola Tinubu that the actions of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, are threatening party unity, particularly in Rivers State.
Amid renewed hostilities between Wike and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, leaders of the APC say the minister’s political manoeuvres risk undermining the party’s cohesion and electoral fortunes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A member of the APC National Working Committee (NWC), who spoke anonymously, disclosed that the party may soon confront the President directly if Wike continues to act in ways perceived as hostile to APC interests.
“We may ask the President to choose between the party and his FCT minister if Wike continues to behave as if he alone can protect the President’s political interests in Rivers State or elsewhere. He is not even a member of this party,” the source said.
The warning follows Wike’s recent declaration that Governor Fubara would not secure a second term in office in 2027, a statement that has sparked outrage among APC loyalists, particularly in Rivers State.
Party strategists argue that the APC can not afford to allow a minister who is not formally registered with the party to destabilise its structure in the oil-rich state at a critical political moment.
Adding to the debate, former PDP National Vice Chairman (South-West), Eddy Olafeso, described Wike’s current predicament as self-inflicted, arguing that Governor Fubara had outmanoeuvred his former political benefactor.
In an interview, Olafeso said Wike may be “the most unfortunate politician of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic,” noting that Fubara moved swiftly to align with the APC, effectively leaving his former boss politically isolated.
He further revealed that APC leaders in Rivers State have made it clear that Fubara is recognised as the party’s leader APC
Tensions within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have intensified, with senior party figures warning President Bola Tinubu that the actions of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, are threatening party unity, particularly in Rivers State.
Amid renewed hostilities between Wike and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, leaders of the APC say the minister’s political manoeuvres risk undermining the party’s cohesion and electoral fortunes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A member of the APC National Working Committee (NWC), who spoke anonymously, disclosed that the party may soon confront the President directly if Wike continues to act in ways perceived as hostile to APC interests.
“We may ask the President to choose between the party and his FCT minister if Wike continues to behave as if he alone can protect the President’s political interests in Rivers State or elsewhere. He is not even a member of this party,” the source said.
The warning follows Wike’s recent declaration that Governor Fubara would not secure a second term in office in 2027, a statement that has sparked outrage among APC loyalists, particularly in Rivers State.
Party strategists argue that the APC cannot afford to allow a minister who is not formally registered with the party to destabilise its structure in the oil-rich state at a critical political moment.
Adding to the debate, former PDP National Vice Chairman (South-West), Eddy Olafeso, described Wike’s current predicament as self-inflicted, arguing that Governor Fubara had outmanoeuvred his former political benefactor.
In an interview, Olafeso said Wike may be “the most unfortunate politician of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic,” noting that Fubara moved swiftly to align with the APC, effectively leaving his former boss politically isolated.
He further revealed that APC leaders in Rivers State have made it clear that Fubara is recognised as the party’s leader in the state, a development he said prompted Wike’s eventual decision to defect.
“Some of them are even calling for his removal as minister,” Olafeso disclosed, underscoring the growing pressure on President Tinubu to rein in his influential ally.ect.
“Some of them are even calling for his removal as minister,” Olafeso disclosed, underscoring the growing pressure on President Tinubu to rein in his influential ally.
