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By Oscar Okhifo
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has become the de facto leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, insisting on Monday that party leadership is determined by grassroots structures, not by holding public office.
Wike, speaking at a media briefing in Port Harcourt on Monday, stressed that leadership in any political party is earned through control of grassroots structures at the ward and local government levels, rather than simply holding a public office.
“There is nothing like ‘001’ in party politics,” Wike said.
“You register in your ward, and your local government is in your ward. Everybody registers in his ward. You could be the first to register, but it does not mean that by becoming governor you automatically become leader of the party.”
Governor Fubara’s push for a second term has remained controversial, following a long-standing political rift with his predecessor, Wike.
Sources revealed that a peace deal brokered by President Bola Tinubu in September reportedly included an understanding that Fubara would step aside and not contest for a second term.
Despite this, his recent defection to the APC has reinvigorated his political standing, bolstered by backing from key power blocs in Abuja.
The APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, has encouraged Rivers residents to rally behind both the party and Governor Fubara ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at a project commissioning in the state, Basiru commended Fubara’s governance and highlighted the delivery of key developmental projects under his administration.
Legal practitioner and political analyst, Levi Jamala, however, criticized Wike’s position on APC leadership as “laughable” and “preposterous,” noting that Wike, still a PDP member, has no authority over another party’s internal affairs.
“What is the status of the FCT minister in APC affairs? From the records, he is still a member of the PDP. There is no evidence that he has defected to the APC. It is therefore difficult to understand how someone in a different political party can direct or determine the affairs of another,” Jamala said.
He added that the APC, as a national party, operates with defined structures and leadership, and external interference cannot dictate its direction. Jamala also noted Fubara’s strong grassroots support in Rivers State, warning against underestimating his political relevance.
Wike further stated that leadership is earned through influence and control of party structures, not simply by occupying a gubernatorial seat.
“Leadership is not because I am a governor. You must have something that makes you a leader,” he said, jokingly questioning who the political leader in Lagos State is.
Addressing lingering tensions in Rivers politics, Wike attributed the crisis to a breakdown of trust and accused Fubara of reneging on agreements reached during reconciliation meetings with lawmakers and elders.
He criticized the governor’s public claims of being undermined and stressed that basic political courtesy, such as engaging party structures, is essential for unity.
On the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) crisis, Wike dismissed allegations that he promised President Tinubu to undermine the opposition party, calling the claims false and attributing them to the frustration of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde.
“That is not true,” Wike said. “Seyi said I told Tinubu that I would hold PDP for him. Nothing like that happened. What was that meeting, and what was its purpose that would make me say, ‘Mr President, I will hold PDP down for you’?”
He clarified that his post-2023 election visit to the President was a joint courtesy call with several former governors to discuss national issues, not a secretive pledge regarding the PDP.
Wike also addressed his working relationship with Senator Ireti Kingibe, stressing that policy disagreements are part of governance and should not be mistaken for hostility.
He highlighted key achievements in security, infrastructure, and transportation since taking office, while explaining that certain sanitation challenges arose from the termination of legacy contracts and the initiation of new procurement processes.