The All Progressives Congress APC has stated that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, would have to operate under Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, should he decide to join the party, stressing that leadership positions within the APC are tied to current political office.
The party’s Director of Information, Bala Ibrahim, made this known during an interview on Trust TV, monitored by TheNewsNG247.
According to Ibrahim, Wike would be accommodated within the party structure if he decides to join, but he would not assume a superior position over the sitting governor.
“He will be given a position. There will be a seat for him. If he decides to join, he will be placed accordingly,” Ibrahim said.
When asked whether Wike could replace Governor Fubara as the party leader in Rivers State, Ibrahim dismissed the suggestion.
“No way. He will certainly be under Fubara,” he said.
He further explained that political leadership follows incumbency, not past influence.
“That’s a choice for him. If you follow, you will be followed. But if you don’t follow, nobody is going to follow you. When he was the governor, he was followed. Now that he’s no longer the governor, he must follow. You cannot carry the position of leadership after vacating the seat,” Ibrahim added.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that alleged efforts by Wike to frustrate Governor Fubara’s chances of securing a second term in 2027 have suffered a major setback, as several APC governors have reportedly rallied behind the Rivers State governor.
Multiple sources within the APC told journalists on Monday that renewed tensions between Wike and Fubara were triggered by the decision of some influential APC governors to endorse Fubara’s second-term ambition, a move said to be strongly opposed by the FCT minister.
The development was further strengthened by the party leadership’s open support for Fubara, who has reportedly endeared himself to key figures within the APC. Several party leaders have praised his governance style and ongoing projects across Rivers State.
Sources disclosed that the situation worsened when individuals loyal to Wike allegedly attempted to promote the former National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Samuel Anyanwu, as the next governor of Imo State without consulting the incumbent governor, Hope Uzodimma, who also serves as Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum.
A senior APC official, who spoke to The PUNCH on Monday night, said the move was perceived as an attempt to weaken the FCT minister’s political base.
“The plan is to weaken the FCT minister in his home state and reduce his influence and political power. This was further compounded by the fact that Wike is reportedly not favoured by some powerful members of the Tinubu administration,” the source said.
The official added that, in response, several APC governors mobilised support for Fubara, a development that has now played out in the form of renewed political hostilities between the two camps.
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