As Nat’l Secretary Of APC, I Would Rather Not Make Any Further Comments On Issues In Rivers - Basiru

The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajibola Basiru, has reacted to why the political dispute involving the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Rivers State governor Siminalayi Fubara and his House Of Assembly members escalated to the courts despite the governor being a member of the ruling party and the APC holding a majority in the State House of Assembly.

Basiru spoke during an interview on TVC News on Thursday, January 29, 2026, while responding to questions on the internal handling of the Rivers State crisis by the party’s national leadership.

During the interview, the anchor noted that the governor of Rivers State is now a member of the APC. It was also pointed out that the APC reportedly has a majority in the Rivers State House of Assembly. Based on these circumstances, the interviewer questioned why the matter was allowed to reach the courts.

The anchor observed that the expectation among many Nigerians was that party leadership could have resolved the issue internally by instructing lawmakers not to proceed with impeachment moves against the governor. The interviewer then asked whether the situation was more complex than it appeared.

Responding, Basiru said the matter was already under the direct supervision of the party’s top leadership. “I’ve told you, I’ve told you that Rivers matter is being taken care of at the top of the leadership of our party for two reasons,” he said. He explained that legal constraints limited what could be said publicly. “For the fact that the matter is sub judice, I will not go into details of the matter,” Basiru stated.

He further emphasized the party’s preference for discreet conflict resolution rather than public confrontation. “And secondly, for the fact that an amicable resolution of issues are better, I mean, resolved without having to escalate by making public pronouncements,” he said.

Basiru stressed that his position as national secretary required caution in commenting on sensitive matters. “So as the national secretary of the APC, I would rather not make any further comments on issues in Rivers State,” he stated.

According to him, restraint was necessary to allow internal mechanisms to function effectively. “I would rather look towards an amicable resolution of the issues,” Basiru said. He added that the ultimate goal of the party was peace and unity in the state. “And ensuring that this matter is amicably resolved,” he concluded.