Wike Fighting for Political Survival, Rivers APC Chieftain Claims

Emeka Bekee, a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, has characterized the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as a man currently “fighting for his survival.” Speaking during a live appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, Bekee suggested that Wike’s increasingly aggressive political maneuvers are symptoms of a diminishing influence within the state. The APC leader’s remarks come as the long-running feud between the Minister and Governor Siminalayi Fubara enters a high-stakes phase ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle.

“What I think Minister Nyesom Wike is doing now is he’s fighting for survival. He’s fighting for survival right now. Nothing more,” Bekee stated, dismissing the Minister’s recent threats to “collapse all structures” in the state as acts of desperation. This internal critique from within the APC highlights the growing friction between the party’s traditional base and the pro-Wike camp. Bekee argued that the political climate in Rivers is shifting away from the personality-driven dominance of the past, leaving the former governor in a precarious position as he attempts to maintain his relevance from Abuja.

The interview also touched on the legal and administrative future of Governor Fubara, who recently defected to the APC. Bekee hinted that the national leadership of the party is strongly considering a policy of granting automatic second-term tickets to all governors who joined the “Renewed Hope” fold over the last year. He insisted that Fubara, as the sitting executive and now a card-carrying member of the party, would be a primary beneficiary of such a move. “Nobody can deny Fubara his rights,” Bekee asserted, suggesting that the Governor’s position as the state’s party leader is now solidified under APC statutes.

Wike’s camp has remained vocal, recently issuing warnings at New Year rallies that the political battle for Rivers would “start fully” in January. However, Bekee’s intervention suggests that the APC’s state-level machinery may not be as welcoming to the Minister’s influence as previously assumed. By framing Wike’s actions as a survivalist struggle rather than a position of strength, Bekee has signaled a deepening rift that could define the ruling party’s internal dynamics in the South-South region for the foreseeable future.

As the “survival” narrative gains traction, all eyes are on the APC National Working Committee to see how they balance the interests of a powerful federal minister against those of a sitting governor. Bekee concluded by urging the party to prioritize stability over individual ambitions, noting that the ultimate goal remains delivering development to the people of Rivers. With 2027 on the horizon, the battle for control of the state’s political structure appears to be moving from the streets of Port Harcourt to the high-pressure studios of national television.