Wike Not an APC Issue, Says Yilwatda, as Rivers Political Tensions Continue

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has sought to clarify his party’s position on the ongoing political tension in Rivers State, insisting that former governor Nyesom Wike is not a problem within the APC and that the dispute involving the state government does not fall under his jurisdiction.

Yilwatda made the remarks during an interview on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, on Tuesday, where he addressed questions surrounding the prolonged face-off between Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the current Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara of the APC.

According to the APC chairman, attempts to link the Rivers crisis directly to Wike misrepresent the nature of the issues involved, particularly as Wike is not a member of the ruling party.

“When it comes to the issue between Wike and Fubara, it is not within my purview as the national chairman of APC,” Yilwatda said. “Wike is in the PDP, while Fubara is in the APC.”

He explained that the leadership of the APC at the national level is only empowered to intervene in matters that directly involve party members and internal party structures. As such, any dispute framed as a clash between individuals belonging to different political parties cannot be treated as an APC matter.

Yilwatda further clarified that the impeachment threats that have dominated political discourse in Rivers State should not be attributed to Wike, stressing that the issue revolves around members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who belong to the APC.

“The issue of impeachment is not about Wike,” he said. “It concerns APC members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. That is something I can speak about, because it is an internal party matter, and we have established mechanisms within the APC to handle such situations.”

The APC chairman emphasized that the party prefers discreet and mature approaches to resolving internal disagreements, rather than conducting its affairs through the media or public exchanges.

“We do not put these discussions in the public space,” Yilwatda noted. “There are in-house processes that require maturity and responsibility. These are the tools we use to address internal challenges. Wike is not a problem in APC.”

His comments appear aimed at countering widespread speculation that Wike wields significant influence over the Rivers APC and its lawmakers, particularly amid claims that the former governor remains a dominant political force in the state despite no longer holding executive office there.

The political crisis in Rivers State has drawn national attention due to its potential implications for party control, governance stability, and the broader balance of power ahead of future elections. While reconciliation efforts have reportedly reduced tensions in recent weeks, competing narratives continue to circulate regarding who holds real authority within the state’s political structure.

Analysts note that Yilwatda’s remarks signal an effort by the APC leadership to draw clear institutional boundaries between party affairs and the personal political influence of powerful individuals. By distancing the party from Wike’s actions and emphasizing internal mechanisms, the APC appears keen to project an image of organizational discipline and constitutional order.

At the same time, the comments underscore the complexity of Nigerian politics, where cross-party alliances, informal power structures, and personal loyalties often blur formal party lines. Wike’s role in national politics, particularly his working relationship with the APC-led federal government despite his PDP affiliation, has continued to fuel debate and speculation.

For Governor Fubara, the APC chairman’s position suggests that the party recognizes him as its legitimate leader in Rivers State and intends to manage internal legislative matters without external interference. Whether this stance translates into long-term political stability in the state remains to be seen.

As Rivers State navigates its fragile political terrain, observers believe the coming months will be crucial in determining whether party institutions, rather than individual influence, will ultimately shape outcomes. For now, the APC leadership appears determined to maintain that Wike, regardless of his prominence, is not an issue within the party’s internal affairs.