APC Leadership Governors Seek to Contain Wike Amid Rivers State Tensions

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The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is reportedly exploring measures to curb what party insiders describe as the “excesses and disruptive behaviour” of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

Sources familiar with the matter told The Whistler that the initiative, allegedly led by APC national leaders, aims to prevent Wike from causing further internal friction, particularly in Rivers State.

Wike has clashed with the APC over the party’s open endorsement of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s 2027 re-election bid.

The pro-Fubara stance has reportedly received support from top figures in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, including Vice President Kashim Shettima and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.

Wike, Fubara’s immediate predecessor, played a central role in building the political structure that helped Fubara secure the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship ticket and ultimately win the 2023 election.

Tensions reportedly arose within five months of Fubara taking office, due to disagreements over power sharing and control of state resources. The discord escalated into impeachment threats and prolonged political instability, culminating in the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State in March 2025, during which the governor and members of the House of Assembly were suspended for six months.

Following the lifting of emergency rule, political dynamics shifted as Fubara realigned with President Tinubu. This culminated in his defection from the PDP to the APC on December 9, 2025—a move described by party insiders as a “political ambush” that reportedly caught Wike by surprise.

Investigations suggest that efforts to “contain” Wike are being coordinated by a prominent APC governor from the South-East, reportedly displeased by Wike’s alleged attempts to build a political counterforce in Rivers State through a PDP ally.

Party sources further revealed that the plan may involve mobilising APC governors, ministers, party leaders, and other stakeholders who are frustrated by Wike’s recent conduct. Senior APC figures, including Vice President Shettima, have reportedly criticised Wike for verbally attacking the APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru.

The clashes followed the APC’s public support for Fubara’s second-term bid and his recognition as the party leader in Rivers State by National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda and other government officials.

Part of the strategy, according to sources, is for aggrieved party leaders to present a resolution to President Tinubu, urging him to make a choice between Wike and the APC leadership—a decision described as potentially placing the President in a difficult position.

The stakeholders are reportedly waiting for the President’s return from his end-of-year vacation abroad to formally table their demands.

Despite these developments, Wike remains undeterred, continuing to tour Rivers State local government areas to rally support for President Tinubu’s re-election.

The minister has pledged to block any attempt by the APC to grant Fubara a second-term ticket, insisting that an existing agreement prohibits the governor from seeking re-election. Wike emphasised that the President is aware of this arrangement, saying, “Agreement is agreement.”

He also claimed that part of the deal gives him the authority to nominate Fubara’s successor—a role he insists on retaining.

However, an APC insider, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the matter, dismissed Wike’s assertions.
“Minister Wike is referring to an agreement he had with Governor Fubara when he was in the PDP. But today, Fubara is an APC governor, so the situation has fundamentally changed,” the source said.