A public spat between All Progressives Congress governors and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has raised concerns that the crisis that affected the Peoples Democratic Party is now threatening to destabilize the ruling APC. The crisis began when Wike vowed to take action against PDP governors who interfered in the party's affairs in Rivers State. The PDP governors had weighed in on the crisis rocking the party in Rivers State and called for a review of the party's congress outcome to restore Governor Siminalayi Fubara's leadership role.
The development had excited APC governors and leaders, who saw Wike's role in the misfortune that befell the main opposition party as a positive development. However, it appears that the "fire" Wike threatened to put in PDP states has now spread to the ruling party. Wike's threat was made after the PDP governors met in Taraba State on August 23, 2024, to discuss the crisis in Rivers State. The meeting was attended by governors who had not defected to the APC or other parties.
Wike viewed the attempt by PDP governors to make Fubara the leader of the party as an attempt to undermine his political authority in the state. He argued that Rivers State should be an exception to the traditional practice of governors being the leaders of their political parties in their states. The FCT minister's comments were seen as a beauty of democracy by the APC, which had benefited from the crisis in the PDP.
However, the battle was brought to the doorstep of the APC in January 2026 when Wike warned the National Secretary of the APC, Ajibola Basiru, to "leave Rivers State alone." Wike accused unnamed APC leaders of receiving funds from the N600 billion left in the state's coffers at the end of the state of emergency. The warning was a prelude to a cold war between Wike and APC leaders.
The APC National Vice Chairman (South-south), Victor Gaidom, had described Fubara as "the so-called governor" during Wike's visit to Khana/Gokana LGA. Basiru had described Gaidom's remarks as "unfortunate," insisting that Fubara's position as governor should command respect. An angry Wike warned the APC leader that Rivers State was a "no-go area" and that he could not blame anyone if his hands got burnt for meddling in the politics of the state.
The crisis escalated early this month when Wike publicly accused Imo and Kwara state governors, Senator Hope Uzodimma and AbdulRahman, of interfering in the affairs of Rivers State. The public spat has raised concerns about the stability of the APC and the potential for further divisions within the party. The governors of Imo and Kwara states have not publicly responded to Wike's accusations.
The development has sparked fears that the crisis that affected the PDP could now spread to the APC, potentially destabilizing the ruling party. The APC has been the beneficiary of the crisis in the PDP, with some PDP governors defecting to the APC. However, the current crisis within the APC could undermine its stability and potentially create an opportunity for the PDP to regain ground.
Key points
- The public spat between APC governors and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has raised concerns about the stability of the ruling party.
- Wike's threat to take action against PDP governors who interfered in the party's affairs in Rivers State has now spread to the APC.
- The crisis has sparked fears that the APC could face further divisions and potentially destabilize the ruling party.
