Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has dismissed claims that Siminalayi Fubara has emerged as the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State following the governors reported defection to the ruling party. Wike spoke on Monday, December 29, during a media interaction with journalists in Port Harcourt, where he argued that party leadership is determined by grassroots structures rather than political office. He said there was no concept of a centralised 001 registration or leadership position in political parties. There is nothing like 001 in the state. You register in your ward, and your local government is in your ward. Everybody registers in his own ward, Wike said. You could be the first person to register, but not in the sense that by becoming governor you automatically become leader of the party. While acknowledging that governors often assume leadership roles within their parties at the state level, Wike insisted that leadership must be earned and not automatically conferred by holding office. Leadership is not because I am a governor. You must have something that makes you a leader, he added. The former Rivers State governor said the ongoing political tension in the state stemmed from unfulfilled commitments, particularly a peace pact intended to resolve disputes between the executive arm and the state legislature. He said the breakdown of trust contributed to recent accusations by Governor Fubara that he was interfering in state affairs. Wike rejected the allegation, stating that the governor was fully aware of reconciliation meetings involving lawmakers and elders of the state. The governor cannot say there was no meeting between the speaker and the leadership of the House. He was present. I dont like politicians who dont say the truth, Wike said, expressing displeasure over comments he said should not have been made on national television. He also accused the governor of failing to observe basic political courtesies that, in his view, demonstrate commitment to party unity. Wike said certain gestures, such as engaging lawmakers and party leaders, should be taken without prompting. Nobody told me to go and visit the Assembly to say thank you for their support. I dont need anybody to tell me to call the speaker and say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. These are steps you take to show seriousness, he said, adding that political engagement cannot be one-sided. Wike further dismissed suggestions that his working relationship with Ireti Kingibe, who represents the FCT in the Senate, had irreparably broken down. He referenced a letter from the senator commending him for rehabilitating a major road in Abuja, arguing that disagreements in the Senate do not negate collaboration. She commended me for making Abuja a modern city. If there are two areas she thinks have not been done well, it does not mean Abuja is not doing well, he said. The minister highlighted improvements in security, infrastructure and transportation in the FCT since he assumed office, noting that sanitation challenges arose from the termination of old contracts and the commencement of new procurement processes. He urged patience from residents as reforms continue and maintained that criticisms should be balanced with recognition of progress. You cannot have a modern city if it is dirty or insecure. Today, compared to the past ten years, appreciable improvement has been recorded, Wike said. He added that he remains focused on governance and loyal to Bola Tinubu, stressing that political actors must learn to honour agreements and commitments at all times..
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