The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has demanded an apology from Ajibola Basiru, National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), within 48 hours over what it described as a “personal attack” on the FCT Minister.
The feud follows Basiru’s call for Wike to resign his ministerial post to focus on Rivers State politics. In response, the PDP faction, through Zonal Publicity Secretary Etim Isong, accused Basiru of undermining the administration of President Bola Tinubu and questioned his political judgment, recalling his failure to secure an APC governorship in Osun State in 2023.
The PDP maintained that Wike, who has been expelled from the party, remains a national leader with significant influence in Rivers State, having built the political machinery that enabled Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s rise. “In politics, ingratitude is an offence, and biting the finger that prepares your meal is an even more unforgivable offence,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, Wike appeared to soften his public attacks on APC leadership during a thank-you tour in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area. He reaffirmed his loyalty to President Tinubu and praised the unique coalition in Rivers that he described as the “Renewed Hope family,” vowing that the political mistakes of 2023 would not be repeated.
In related developments, former President Goodluck Jonathan assured PDP leaders of his continued and more active involvement in party affairs, following a closed-door meeting with members of the National Working Committee (NWC). PDP Chairman Kabiru Turaki described the meeting as an opportunity to brief Jonathan on the party’s prospects and challenges, noting that reconciliation and inclusivity would remain a priority as the party prepares for the 2027 elections.
The factional PDP’s stance makes it clear that the ruling APC has no moral or legal grounds to complain about Wike’s conduct and must manage the political consequences of its own decisions in Rivers State.
