By Felix Khanoba
Two groups within the All Progressives Congress (APC) have written an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, calling for the removal of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over alleged insubordination and attacks on party leadership.
The groups—APC Leaders Forum (ALF) and Tinubu/Shettima Solidarity Movement (TSSM)—also staged protest at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday to press their demand.
In the letter dated January 7, 2026, and jointly signed by Chief Dr. Emeka Okoro, Dr. Adekunle Balogun, Alhaji Ibrahim Yusuf and Mallam Abdulkareem Isiaka, the groups accused Wike of conduct they said was inimical to party unity and national stability.
Addressed to President Tinubu through the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, the letter said the rally was a “peaceful assembly of loyal party faithful” motivated by concern for the stability of the APC and the country.
The groups alleged that Wike’s actions amounted to “a brazen assault on the APC’s leadership” and posed “a direct threat” to the President’s authority, warning that they could destabilise Rivers State and the wider Niger Delta.
They accused the minister of repeatedly attacking the APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, during a visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State on January 5. According to the letter, Wike accused Basiru of interfering in Rivers politics for personal reasons and issued warnings that those who meddled in the state would “get their fingers burnt.”
The petitioners described the comments as an insult to the party’s national leadership and questioned Wike’s role in the APC, noting that he was “not even a registered member of the party” despite serving in its government.
The groups also accused Wike of undermining the APC-led government in Rivers State through sustained attacks on Governor Siminalayi Fubara, whom they described as the party’s duly elected governor.
They alleged that Wike had publicly disparaged Fubara’s leadership, referred to his emergence as a “mistake,” and embarked on tours across local governments to weaken the governor’s administration—actions they described as anti-party activities.
In addition, the groups faulted Wike over comments allegedly suggesting that “nobody can enter Rivers State,” which they said amounted to declaring the state a no-go area for perceived opponents.
“Such statements challenge the authority of the Nigerian state and risk provoking unrest reminiscent of past Niger Delta crises,” the letter said.
Warning against what they described as growing impunity, the groups said Wike’s continued stay in the cabinet was a liability to the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
They further alleged that the minister had admitted to controlling “two political parties” while serving in an APC-led government, describing it as a conflict of interest that violated party principles.
The groups vowed to sustain protests at the APC national secretariat and across the country until Wike is removed as FCT minister.
They urged President Tinubu to act swiftly, insisting that no individual should be bigger than the party or the nation, while reaffirming their support for the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda and his re-election bid.
