Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on the aegis of ‘APC Leaders Forum (ALF)’ and ‘Tinubu/Shettima Solidarity Movement (TSSM)’, on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, staged a peaceful protest in Abuja during which they demanded the immediate removal of Nyesom Wike as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The APC leaders accused Wike of gross insubordination and unwarranted attacks on party leadership and threats to national unity, stressing that they are dedicated to upholding the integrity of the APC the visionary leadership of President Bola Tinubu.
They emphasised that Wike’s actions represented a brazen assault on the APC’s leadership, a direct threat to the authority of President Tinubu, and a dangerous incitement that could destabilize Rivers State and the entire Niger Delta region.
The groups’ demand was contained in an open letter jointly signed by Chief Dr. Emeka Okoro, Dr. Adekunle Balogun, Alhaji Ibrahim Yusuf and Mallam Abdulkareem Isiaka and addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in which they also reaffirmed their loyalty to President Tinubu and commitment to mobilising support for the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking with journalists during the peaceful rally, the APC leaders said their action followed “deep concern for the stability of the Party, the security of our nation, and the sanctity of democratic principles”.
The APC groups in the statement routed through the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, said they are steadfast supporters of President Tinubu and the Renewed Hope Agenda, said they could no longer remain silent over what they described as “egregious misconduct” by Nyesom Wike.
They further said; “We demand Wike’s immediate sack to preserve party unity, protect our elected officials, and safeguard national peace”.
The APC leaders also accused Wike of launching “vicious, unprovoked attacks” on the APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, despite not being a registered member of the party.
They particularly noted Wike’s comments during his January 5, 2026, “thank-you tour” of Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he accused Basiru of meddling in Rivers politics for personal gain and eyeing the state’s resources.
The groups while quoting Wike, said he warned that anyone interfering in Rivers politics would “get their fingers burnt.”
The APC leaders noted that Wike’s remark was not only an insult to Basiru’s integrity but a direct affront to the entire APC National Working Committee, stressing that it undermined the authority of the party’s national leadership.
The groups further accused Wike of persistently attacking Governor Siminalayi Fubara, describing his actions as “unhealthy political sabotage,” saying that Wike had mocked the governor’s leadership, called his emergence a “mistake,” and vowed it would be corrected in 2027.
The APC leaders further said; “As a serving minister in an APC-led government, Wike’s actions amount to anti-party activities that weaken our hold on Rivers State—a key battleground for the APC’s future electoral success.”
The APC groups also expressed serious concern over Wike’s alleged statement saying; “nobody can enter Rivers State,” which the noted was a direct affront on President Tinubu’s authority as Commander-in-Chief.
The APC leaders therefore noted that Wike declaring Rivers a “no-go area” was a dangerous provocation that could incite violence, reminiscent of past Niger Delta crises.
According to the statement of the APC leaders; “Wike’s words are a direct attack on your presidency, suggesting he views himself above the law and the APC’s hierarchy”.
The groups warned that protests would continue across the length and breadth of the country—state by state, local government by local government until Wike is removed from office as minister of the FCT.
The APC Leaders Forum and TSSM said the rally was also held in solidarity with Governor Fubara, Senator Basiru and APC National Chairman, Prof. Yilwatda and urged President Tinubu to act decisively.
“Sack Wike immediately to send a clear message that no individual is bigger than the party or the nation,” they insisted.
