RRM warns APC scribe’s comments could hurt Tinubu in Rivers

From Tony John, Port Harcourt

The Rivers Restoration Movement (RRM), a political advocacy group, has cautioned the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajibola Basiru, against what it described as “unguarded and reckless statements” concerning the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and leader of Rivers State politics, Nyesom Wike.

In a statement signed by its Director-General, Johnson Georgewill, and Secretary, Mrs Sarima Akpata, in Port Harcourt, yesterday, the group said remarks attributed to the APC National Secretary – allegedly calling on the FCT Minister to resign and accusing him of undue interference in Rivers State politics – could jeopardise President Bola Tinubu’s chances in the state ahead of the 2027 general election.

The RRM, which emphasised that it worked with more than 40 affiliate groups to support the power shift to the Ijaw ethnic nationality in 2023 that culminated in the emergence of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, stated that it would ordinarily have ignored the comments but was compelled to respond because of what it termed the strategic importance of Rivers State to national electoral outcomes.

According to the statement, Rivers State remains a critical battleground in Nigeria’s political calculations, and actions or utterances capable of destabilising existing political understandings could have wider consequences for the ruling party and the president.

The group raised a number of questions directed at the APC National Secretary, querying his involvement and awareness of key political agreements in the state.

Among other concerns, RRM asked whether Ajibola Basiru was present during meetings where agreements were reached between the Rivers State governor and the State House of Assembly and whether he was privy to commitments reportedly made by Governor Fubara to uphold those agreements in the interest of peace and good governance.

It further questioned whether the APC National Secretary was aware of what it described as the political sacrifices and efforts made by the FCT Minister to secure President Tinubu’s victory in Rivers State and to help achieve the required spread in other states during the 2023 presidential election.

In its concluding remarks, the RRM called on the national leadership of the APC to “call the National Secretary to order,” warning that internal discord and public confrontations could be counterproductive.

The group also appealed to the FCT minister to disregard what it described as political actors without significant electoral value and to remain focused on building a broad-based coalition aimed at securing President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

It added that such a coalition should also work towards producing a new governor for Rivers State who, in its words, would embody “honesty, truth, gratitude, and teamwork.”

The statement further urged the leader of Rivers State politics to consider, in the spirit of equity, fairness, and justice, a “grateful Rivers Ijaw son” to succeed Governor Fubara at the completion of his tenure.