Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), under the aegis of the APC Leaders Forum (ALF) and the Tinubu/Shettima Solidarity Movement (TSSM), have demanded the immediate removal of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
The demand was contained in an open letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and routed through the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, dated January 7, 2026.
The letter, accused Wike of gross insubordination, persistent attacks on the APC leadership and actions capable of threatening national unity and internal party cohesion.
The groups also announced plans to embark on peaceful rallies at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja and across states of the federation until the President relieves Wike of his appointment as FCT minister.
According to the groups, the planned rallies are aimed at mobilising loyal party members in defence of the APC, the Renewed Hope Agenda and the authority of President Tinubu, whom they described as the party’s leader and symbol of national unity.
The groups, who described themselves as longstanding supporters of the Tinubu administration, said they could no longer remain silent in the face of what they termed repeated acts of misconduct by the FCT minister, whom they accused of undermining the party from within.
They further alleged that Wike’s conduct had heightened political tension in Rivers State and the wider Niger Delta region, warning that such developments could have far-reaching implications for national stability if not urgently addressed.
The letter read, “We can no longer remain silent in the face of egregious misconduct by one of your appointees, Mr. Nyesom Wike. His actions represent a brazen assault on the APC leadership, a direct threat to your authority as President, and a dangerous incitement capable of destabilising Rivers State and the entire Niger Delta region.
“As steadfast supporters of your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, we have stood by you through thick and thin, mobilising grassroots support for the APC and defending the party’s ideals. However, Mr. Wike’s continued conduct has become a liability to the APC, eroding party discipline and undermining the collective authority of the party’s leadership.
“His repeated verbal attacks on APC leaders, interference in Rivers State politics and open hostility toward our elected officials amount to anti-party activities that weaken our hold on a strategic state ahead of the 2027 general elections and threaten the unity of our great party.
“We therefore demand his immediate removal as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to preserve party unity, protect our elected officials and safeguard national peace, and we shall proceed with peaceful rallies across the country until this demand is met.”
The groups also faulted what they described as Wike’s open hostility toward the APC National Working Committee, particularly the party’s National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, whom they said had been subjected to verbal attacks and threats during political engagements in Rivers State.
They argued that such conduct was unbecoming of a minister serving in an APC-led federal government and insisted that continued tolerance of such actions could embolden indiscipline within the party.
The groups further claimed that Wike’s public statements suggesting that certain individuals would be barred from entering Rivers State amounted to a challenge to federal authority and posed a serious threat to national security.
They warned that failure to act decisively could deepen internal divisions within the APC and weaken the party’s electoral prospects ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The letter concluded by reaffirming the groups’ loyalty to President Tinubu, Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, the APC leadership and the Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that their actions were driven by a desire to protect the party and the country.
The open letter was jointly signed by Chief Dr. Emeka Okoro on behalf of the APC Leaders Forum and Dr. Adekunle Balogun for the Tinubu/Shettima Solidarity Movement, alongside other party leaders including Alhaji Ibrahim Yusuf and Mallam Abdulkareem Isiaka.
