Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has rejected claims that a recent Court of Appeal judgment invalidated the leadership structure and primary elections of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, describing such interpretations as a misreading of the court’s decision.
Wike spoke on Thursday during an inspection of ongoing road projects in Abuja, where he addressed both the lingering dispute within the Rivers APC and the controversy surrounding his recent comments on protests over insecurity in the Federal Capital Territory.
The former Rivers State governor insisted that the appellate court ruling was limited to issues relating to party congresses and did not in any way affect the primary elections that produced APC candidates.
According to him, suggestions that the judgment nullified decisions taken by the party leadership in Rivers State were legally unfounded and politically motivated.
He explained that the litigation arose after some party members secured an ex parte order from a state high court seeking to halt the conduct of congresses for the election of state party officers.
Wike noted that the APC challenged the order at the Court of Appeal, arguing that the lower court lacked jurisdiction. However, the appellate court held that the matter should be returned to the state high court for determination.
He maintained that the substantive dispute remains unresolved and that nothing in the judgment invalidated the party’s primaries or affected candidates produced through the process.
The minister also took issue with claims that the ruling amounted to a removal of the party leadership in the state, arguing that such conclusions reflected a misunderstanding of both legal procedures and internal party operations.
Beyond the Rivers APC controversy, Wike addressed criticisms that followed his comments on a protest by members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers over the abduction of teachers and students in the FCT.
The minister said his remarks had been misrepresented, stressing that his position was never intended to downplay the seriousness of insecurity or the suffering of victims.
He argued that while citizens have every right to express concern over security challenges, efforts to address insecurity should not be undermined by political interests.
According to him, terrorism, banditry and kidnapping remain threats to all Nigerians irrespective of profession, ethnicity or political affiliation.
“Security is a concern for everyone,” Wike said, insisting that governments at all levels must work collectively to confront criminal elements rather than turn security matters into partisan contests.
The minister reaffirmed the commitment of the FCT Administration to improving safety across the territory, while calling on residents to support ongoing efforts by security agencies to combat criminal activities.
His remarks come amid heightened public concern over recent incidents of kidnapping and insecurity in parts of the Federal Capital Territory and ongoing political tensions within party structures ahead of the 2027 elections.