Rivers Crisis: Ameh Backs Basiru Accuses Wike of Undermining His Own Party

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The National Secretary of the Coalition for United Political Parties (CUPP), Peter Ameh, has publicly expressed support for the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajibola Basiru, following his recent confrontation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Speaking in an interview with Punch, Ameh praised Basiru for what he described as a courageous stance against Wike, whom he accused of acting in ways that undermine effective governance in Rivers State and Nigeria at large.

Political tensions in Rivers State intensified this week after Basiru openly aligned himself with Governor Siminalayi Fubara amid the prolonged power struggle between the governor and the former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike.

Reports indicate that Wike, now serving as FCT Minister, cautioned Basiru during a public event in Rivers State on Monday, warning him to stay out of the state’s political affairs.

Basiru responded swiftly, releasing a statement in which he called on Wike to step aside from his ministerial position and focus on what he characterized as an unhealthy preoccupation with Rivers State politics.

Reacting to the development, Ameh argued that Wike’s political relevance has significantly diminished, insisting that his role in weakening his former party had already been fulfilled.

According to Ameh, Wike was allegedly instrumental in dismantling the structure of his former party to the advantage of the APC, but has since become expendable.

“He has been used by the APC to dismantle his own party. Now that the party’s entire structure has effectively moved into the APC, his relevance has faded. His assignment is complete, and he is no longer needed,” Ameh stated.

He further suggested that Wike should formally join the APC and submit himself to the party’s leadership in Rivers State, noting that under the APC’s structure and ideology, Governor Fubara remains the recognized leader of the party in the state.

Ameh also alleged that the ongoing conflict between Wike and Fubara forms part of a larger political strategy allegedly engineered by President Bola Tinubu to tighten his grip on the oil-producing state.

He claimed the situation has resulted in parallel political camps working to advance Tinubu’s interests, at the expense of the people of Rivers State who should be benefiting from improved governance.

“I do not sympathize with either Fubara or Wike. What we are witnessing is a political strategy that ensures two rival camps are mobilizing support for President Tinubu in Rivers State, while the real victims are the citizens who should be enjoying the dividends of democracy,” Ameh added.