Speaking during an interview with Arise News on Monday, Basiru clarified that Wike is not a member of the APC.

However, he noted that Wike’s non-membership does not prevent individuals associated with him from participating in APC activities or contesting under the party’s platform.

Basiru insisted that those who emerged victorious in the Rivers State APC primaries did so through a free and fair process, not because of any affiliation with the FCT Minister.

He said it is not accurate to suggest that winners in the state are politically tied to Wike, stressing that every aspirant was assessed on individual merit.

According to him, “You cannot empirically say that those who have won primary elections in the APC in Rivers State are linked to the umbilical cord of Minister Nyesom Wike…”

He further maintained that Wike remains outside the APC but acknowledged that political allies may still choose to pursue their ambitions within the party.

Basiru also dismissed allegations that the party manipulated the primaries by centralising result announcements at the national level.

He explained that the procedure was designed to ensure fairness and allow time for the review of complaints before final declaration.

According to him, the system ensures transparency rather than undermining the electoral process within the party.

He also emphasised that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) monitored the primaries in line with the Electoral Act, adding that every stage of the process is properly documented before final results are announced.

Basiru maintained that the involvement of INEC provides an additional layer of credibility and safeguards the integrity of the party’s internal elections.