The National Secretary of the APC, Ajibola Basiru, said the party is engaging Wike despite the fact that he is not a registered member of the APC. He explained that Wike’s open support for President Bola Tinubu and his political influence in Rivers State make his involvement necessary in efforts to restore stability. According to him, Rivers State is important to the success of the current administration, and anyone with strong influence in the state cannot be ignored during reconciliation talks.
The crisis in Rivers State has lasted for over a year and began as a power struggle between Wike and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, over control of the state’s political structure. On December 9, Fubara left the Peoples Democratic Party and joined the APC, a move that changed the political balance in the state ahead of the 2027 elections. Several members of the Rivers State House of Assembly had earlier defected to the APC, strengthening the governor’s position within the ruling party.
After Fubara’s defection, Wike openly criticised the move and accused the governor of going against previous agreements. He also questioned Fubara’s chances of securing a second term, insisting that the governor lacks real support within the APC and is being wrongly advised.
Tensions increased further on January 8 when lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly, most of whom are APC members, announced the start of impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara. The move was widely linked to Wike’s influence. However, the impeachment process has not moved forward due to court cases currently before the judiciary.
Basiru said the APC leadership is handling the matter carefully and quietly, adding that not all steps being taken will be made public immediately. He assured that the party is working towards a solution that will not produce winners or losers and that details of the resolution will be made known in due time.
He also dismissed claims that the APC is only attracting governors and political elites. According to him, the party remains open to ordinary Nigerians and continues to gain members through its ongoing registration exercise. He said large numbers of people are joining the party across the country, showing that the APC remains a mass-based political organisation.