ABUJA, Nigeria, Jan. 6, 2026 — A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aligned with Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, demanding a public apology over comments the group described as disrespectful and politically provocative.
The ultimatum follows Basiru’s remarks on Monday in which he urged Wike to resign as FCT minister and focus on what he called an “obsession” with Rivers State politics. Basiru’s statement came after Wike had publicly cautioned the APC chieftain to stay out of Rivers’ political affairs, a long-running arena of tension involving Wike and his successor-turned-rival, Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Reacting on Tuesday, the Wike-aligned PDP faction—speaking through Etim Isong, described as a factional South-South zonal publicity secretary—condemned what it called Basiru’s “personal attack” and said the remarks were reckless, unnecessary and capable of undermining the Tinubu administration as the country edges toward the 2027 election cycle.
In its statement, the group argued that Basiru lacked standing to question Wike’s political relevance in Rivers, describing it as “perplexing” that the APC national secretary would make such comments given what it claimed was Basiru’s failure to deliver Osun State for the APC in the 2023 governorship election.
The faction also took issue with Basiru’s suggestion that Wike’s support for President Bola Tinubu was no different from that of other non-APC supporters, calling the claim evidence of “amateurish political judgment.” It went further, alleging Basiru’s call for Wike’s resignation portrayed him as an opponent of Tinubu and urged him to step aside as APC national secretary.
The group demanded Basiru “issue a full apology” to Wike and “the people of Rivers State” within 48 hours, warning that failure to comply could lead to Basiru being declared persona non grata in Rivers.
Basiru’s original statement, circulated by Nigerian media and shared on his official social media page, insisted that APC officials should show deference to sitting governors and argued that Wike’s continued interventions in Rivers politics were inappropriate while serving as a federal minister.
The exchange adds another layer to the widening cross-party friction around Rivers politics, where alliances and rival blocs have continued to reshape the state’s political landscape since the 2023 transition.
