Group Warns APC National Secretary Over Comments On Wike

The Rivers Restoration Movement (RRM), a political advocacy group, has cautioned the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, against comments it described as capable of undermining President Bola Tinubu’s electoral chances in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general election.

The group issued the warning in a statement, while reacting to remarks attributed to the APC scribe in which he allegedly called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to resign and accused him of undue interference in Rivers State politics.

The statement, jointly signed by the Director-General of RRM, Hon. Johnson Georgewill, and its Secretary, Mrs. Sarima Akpata, described the comments as “unguarded and reckless,” warning that such utterances from a top national officer of the ruling party could fuel internal discord and weaken the party’s standing in the state.

According to the group, it would ordinarily have ignored the remarks, but was compelled to respond due to what it described as the strategic importance of Rivers State in national electoral calculations.

“Rivers State remains a critical battleground in Nigeria’s politics, and statements capable of destabilising existing political understandings could have wider consequences for the ruling party and Mr. President,” the group said.

RRM recalled that it worked with over 40 affiliate groups to support the power shift to the Ijaw axis during the 2023 general election, a process it said culminated in the emergence of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The group raised a series of questions directed at the APC National Secretary, querying his level of involvement and awareness of political agreements in the state.

Among other issues, RRM asked whether Senator Basiru was present during meetings where understandings were reportedly reached between Governor Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly, and whether he was privy to commitments allegedly made by the governor to uphold those agreements in the interest of peace, stability and good governance.

The group also questioned whether the APC National Secretary was aware of what it described as the political sacrifices and strategic efforts made by the FCT Minister to secure President Tinubu’s victory in Rivers State and to help achieve the constitutionally required spread in other states during the 2023 presidential election.

In its concluding remarks, the Rivers Restoration Movement called on the national leadership of the APC to “call the National Secretary to order,” warning that public confrontations and internal disagreements could be counterproductive to the party’s objectives.

The group further appealed to the FCT Minister to disregard what it described as political actors without significant electoral value and to remain focused on building a broad-based coalition aimed at securing President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
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RRM added that such a coalition should also work towards producing a new governor for Rivers State who would embody “honesty, truth, gratitude and teamwork.”

The statement also urged the leader of Rivers State politics, in the spirit of equity, fairness and justice, to consider a “grateful Rivers Ijaw son” to succeed Governor Fubara at the completion of his tenure.