ABUJA, Nigeria — In a stinging assessment of the power struggle in Rivers State, Professor Okey Ikechukwu, an expert in Strategic Management and Human Capital Development, has declared that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, lacks the legal standing to dictate the politics of the state.
Featuring on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, Professor Ikechukwu reacted to the recent friction between Wike and the APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, stating that Wike’s perceived “ownership” of Rivers politics is a myth that must be dismantled.
The Defection That Changed Everything
The core of the argument rests on a massive political shift: Governor Siminalayi Fubara has officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). * The Leadership Rule: According to APC tradition and constitution, a sitting Governor is the automatic leader of the party in their state.
- Wike’s Status: Despite his alliance with President Tinubu, Wike remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
- The Conflict: Wike recently warned APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru to “stay clear” of Rivers politics after Basiru expressed support for Fubara.
“Wike is not a member of the APC, therefore, he cannot be saying anything in the APC,” Prof. Ikechukwu argued. “For you to have somebody who is not a card-carrying member of the party warning people to stay out of Rivers politics—is that his private property?”
“The Wretchedness of the PDP”
Ikechukwu didn’t hold back on his critique of the opposition, noting that the only reason Wike was able to maintain such an outsized influence for so long was due to the internal weakness of his own party.
“The wretchedness of the PDP allowed Wike to carry this on for too long,” he said, adding that the APC National Secretary was “acting properly” by defending the party’s sovereignty against outside interference.
National Chairman Weights In
Adding weight to this stance, the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, recently clarified that the party recognizes Governor Fubara—not Wike—as the leader in Rivers State. “If we are discussing elections, we will not be discussing with Nyesom Wike. He is not a member of our party,” Yilwatda stated in a separate interview.
What This Means for 2027
With Fubara now holding the APC membership card and the title of “Leader,” the battle for the 2027 ticket has already begun. While Wike claims to control the “structure,” the formal instruments of party power in Rivers have now moved firmly into the Governor’s hands.
