The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared his “total support” for President Bola Tinubu, despite the growing rift between him and key leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over Rivers State politics.

Wike made the declaration on Tuesday during a political rally in Rivers State, as he continued his tour of local government areas across the state.

In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, the former Rivers State governor said communities he visited were firmly behind President Tinubu, who is expected to seek re-election in 2027.

“Yesterday, we were in Oyigbo and Ogu-Bolo Local Government Areas. Today, we will be in Akuku-Toru and Degema LGAs,” Wike wrote.

He added: “This is local politics, and our support for Mr President is total.”

The FCT minister’s statement came amid a heated exchange between him and the APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, over the lingering political crisis in Rivers State and Wike’s renewed criticism of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Basiru had earlier asked Wike to resign his ministerial position and concentrate on what he described as an “obsession” with Rivers politics, following Wike’s repeated attacks on the Rivers governor.

The disagreement widened after the APC South-South National Vice Chairman, Victor Giadom, publicly backed Wike, stating that anyone seeking political success in Rivers State must “go through Wike.”

Basiru, however, faulted Giadom’s remarks, describing them as disrespectful to a sitting governor and unbecoming of a member of the APC National Working Committee.

Wike reacted sharply to Basiru’s comments, accusing him of interfering in Rivers politics and warning that the state was a “no-go area” for external political interference.

“Carrying your hands to Rivers State, if they burn, don’t say I burnt it. This state is a no-go area, whether you like it or not,” Wike warned.

The minister also recently exchanged words with the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, following Ribadu’s comment that President Tinubu was satisfied with Governor Fubara’s performance.

Despite the escalating tensions, Wike on Tuesday reaffirmed his loyalty to President Tinubu, insisting that his political structure in Rivers State would work actively for the President’s re-election.