APC Is Now A Threat To Me In Rivers State -Nyesom Wike, FCT Minister, Claims During Live Media Chat

According to The Sun report on 25 January, 2026, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has stated that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has become a significant political challenge for him in his native Rivers State.

Speaking during a live media chat with journalists in Abuja, Wike declared, “APC is now a threat to me in Rivers State,” underscoring the deepening political tensions playing out in the oil-rich South-South region.

The former governor of Rivers State, now serving in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet, made the remarks against the backdrop of an increasingly complex power struggle between factions of Nigeria’s two major parties.

His comments reflect growing hostility between himself and Rivers APC leaders following a series of high-profile defections and political manoeuvres within the state.

Wike’s assertion comes amid widespread defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC — including 17 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the incumbent governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, who recently left the PDP to join the APC.

Wike described these defections as damaging to his political influence and a direct challenge to his established grassroots support structure.

In his address, the FCT minister highlighted what he described as unprecedented levels of federal appointments and empowerment in Rivers State, suggesting that the APC’s growing footprint there has heightened competition for loyalty and political advantage.

“Since the history of Rivers State, be it military or civilian, we have never had that kind of political appointments at the Federal level … so it’s a threat,” he said.

Political analysts say Wike’s remarks reflect broader national dynamics, where high-stakes battles over control of state structures have intensified ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Rivers State, historically a PDP stronghold, has increasingly become contested ground as the APC seeks to consolidate influence in Nigeria’s South-South zone.

The APC national secretary, Ajibola Basiru, has publicly rebuked Wike’s commentary, urging him to refrain from actions perceived as destabilizing the ruling party and questioning his continued role in the APC-led federal cabinet while challenging the party’s structures in Rivers.

Meanwhile, some APC figures — including the South-South vice chairman — have offered a mixed reception to Wike’s involvement, with calls for unity juxtaposed against warnings that the minister’s political conduct may create friction within party ranks.

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