OFFICIAL REACTION OF THE PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC PARTY, SOUTH SOUTH ZONE TO THE COMMENTS MADE BY APC's NATIONAL SECRETARY SEN. AJIBOLA BASHIRU REGARDING MINISTER NYESOM WIKE CON
The recent remarks made by Sen. Bashiru are not only inappropriate but also detrimental to President Tinubu's administration and to the prospects of his re-election bid in 2027. It is perplexing that Sen. Bashiru who could not produce a Governor for the APC in his home State of Osun in 2023 could claim to be advocating for the protection of the interest of a defected Governor of Rivers State, produced by Wike's efforts.
More worrisome is the fact that at a time when a National Chairman of the APC could face significant threats to his life in the North for merely suggesting a re-election of President Tinubu in 2027, and at a time coalition forces are gaining momentum ahead of 2027, a National Secretary of the APC who should know better would carelessly undermine a strong support base for President Tinubu in the manner that Sen. Bashiru has done. In fact, to imply that Minister Wike's support for President Tinubu is no different from that of other non-APC supporters is a clear indicator of amateurish political judgment by a person holding a revered office as National Secretary of a ruling party. Sen. Bashiru's call for the resignation of a performing Minister like Nyesom Wike portrays him as an opponent of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and enemy of the Nigerian State. It clearly illustrate his unfitness to serve in such a prestigious role as National Secretary of the ruling party. It is essential that he resigns immediately.
Furthermore, Sen. Bashiru's attempts to employ divide-and-rule tactics in Rivers State politics are bound to fail, as he lacks the necessary capability to engage Minister Wike in any political confrontation. Sen. Bashiru would do well to withdraw from Rivers State politics before he faces serious repercussions, just like the Minister himself has personally admonished. He has 48 hours to issue a full apology to Minister Nyesom Wike and the people of Rivers State. Failure to do so may result in him being declared persona non grata in Rivers State.
Nyesom Wike stands as the National Leader of the People’s Democratic Party and cannot be undermined by an official from another political party. Sen. Bashiru should know that even Governor Siminalaye Fubara recognizes Minister Nyesom Wike as his leader and the architect of the political structure that positioned him as Governor of Rivers State. Sen. Bashiru and the APC cannot now turn the table nor change the fact that Minister Wike holds significant influence in Rivers politics enough to determine the survival or otherwise of the APC in the State, and the chances of its candidates for various elections in 2027 including the reelection bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. As APC's National Secretary, it will be unforgivable if Sen. Bashiru does not know, or pretends not to know that it was the same "obsession" by Wike of Rivers State politics that made the difference in 2023, and perhaps, he would not be enjoying the status of the National Secretary of Nigeria's ruling party today. In politics, ingratitude is an offence, and biting the finger that prepares your meal, is even a more unforgivable offence. A word they say is enough for the wise.
Prince Etim Isong
Zonal Publicity Secretary,
People’s Democratic Party, South South Zone
6th January 2026
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