A coalition of leaders within the All Progressives Congress has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately remove the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, accusing him of insubordination, anti-party activities and conduct capable of destabilising both the party and the polity.
The groups, operating under the APC Leaders Forum and the Tinubu/Shettima Solidarity Movement, made the demand in a strongly worded open letter dated January 7, 2026, and addressed to the President through the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda.
The letter was made public on Wednesday during a peaceful protest by members of the groups at the APC national secretariat in Abuja. They described the rally as part of a wider mobilisation to defend party integrity, democratic norms and the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration.
Signed by Dr Emeka Okoro, Dr Adekunle Balogun, Ibrahim Yusuf and Abdulkareem Isiaka, the letter accused Wike, a former Rivers State governor, of actions they said were incompatible with his continued stay in the cabinet of an APC-led government, particularly as he is not a registered member of the party.
The APC leaders alleged that Wike had repeatedly launched verbal attacks on the party’s national leadership, citing comments he reportedly made during a visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State on January 5, 2026. During the visit, Wike was said to have accused the APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, of interfering in Rivers politics for personal reasons.
According to the groups, Wike’s warning that those meddling in Rivers affairs would “get their fingers burnt” amounted to intimidation and a direct insult to the APC National Working Committee, undermining party discipline and authority.
They further accused the minister of working against the APC in Rivers State by persistently attacking Governor Siminalayi Fubara, whom they described as the party’s duly elected governor in the state. The groups claimed Wike had openly ridiculed Fubara’s leadership, questioned the legitimacy of his emergence and suggested that his election should be reversed in 2027.
Describing such actions as political sabotage, the coalition warned that Wike’s conduct could weaken the APC’s foothold in Rivers State, a strategically important state in the Niger Delta ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Beyond party concerns, the groups raised alarm over statements attributed to Wike suggesting that “nobody can enter Rivers State,” which they interpreted as a veiled threat to national unity and security. They argued that any suggestion of restricting access to a Nigerian state amounted to an affront to presidential authority as Commander-in-Chief and could inflame tensions in the region.
The APC leaders also criticised Wike for allegedly admitting to controlling two political parties while serving as a minister, describing it as a clear conflict of interest and a breach of party ethics.
They warned that retaining Wike in the cabinet could plunge the APC into avoidable crises ahead of the next general elections and urged President Tinubu to act decisively in the interest of party cohesion and national stability.
The groups announced plans to extend their protests nationwide, vowing to organise rallies across states and local government areas until the minister is relieved of his appointment.
