A bloc of prominent figures within the All Progressives Congress (APC), rallying under the banners of the APC Leaders Forum (ALF) and the Tinubu/Shettima Solidarity Movement (TSSM), has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately remove Mr Nyesom Wike as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The coalition accused the minister of insubordination, engaging in activities hostile to the ruling party, and actions they say that threaten national cohesion.

In an open letter dated January 7, 2026, the coalition formally petitioned President Tinubu through the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda. The signatories argued that Wike’s conduct was inconsistent with the expectations of a minister serving in an APC-led federal government.

The letter was released publicly on Wednesday during a peaceful protest held by members of the groups at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja. According to the organisers, the demonstration formed part of a wider campaign aimed at safeguarding party discipline, upholding democratic principles, and promoting the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Those who endorsed the letter – Dr. Emeka Okoro, Dr. Adekunle Balogun, Ibrahim Yusuf, and Abdulkareem Isiaka – identified themselves as committed supporters of President Tinubu. They said they felt compelled to speak out due to what they described as Mr Wike’s ‘grave misconduct,’ warning that failure to address the situation could fracture the party and destabilise the country.

“Wike’s ongoing vendetta against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, our duly elected APC Governor in Rivers State, is nothing short of political sabotage,” the coalition said.

“He has repeatedly mocked Fubara’s leadership, called his emergence a ‘mistake’ to be corrected in 2027, and accused him of betrayal and incompetence. These attacks have escalated in recent weeks, with Wike touring local governments to incite division and undermine Fubara’s administration.”

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A major point of contention, the coalition said, was that Mr Wike is not a registered member of the APC, yet had allegedly carried out repeated verbal attacks against the party’s national leadership.

They referenced comments purportedly made by Wike during a visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State on January 5, 2026. During the visit, Wike accused the APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, of meddling in Rivers State politics for selfish reasons.

The coalition claimed that Mr Wike’s remarks – particularly his warning that those interfering in Rivers affairs would ‘get their fingers burnt’ – constituted intimidation and a direct affront to the APC’s National Working Committee. They argued that such language eroded party authority and breached the standards of conduct expected from a sitting minister.

Beyond his comments about party officials, the groups also alleged that Mr Wike had been undermining the APC-led government in Rivers State. They accused him of persistently attacking Governor Siminalayi Fubara, whom they described as the legitimately elected APC governor of the state.

According to the coalition, Mr Wike had publicly derided Governor Fubara’s leadership, questioned the legitimacy of his emergence, and openly suggested that his mandate should be overturned in the 2027 elections.

The coalition described Wike’s actions as ‘political sabotage,’ stating that his sustained campaign against Governor Fubara, including tours of local government areas to stoke divisions, amounted to a deliberate effort to weaken the party from within. They questioned how a minister could continue to enjoy the confidence of the federal government while actively working against an APC governor.

The coalition warned that such behaviour represented clear anti-party activity and could severely damage the APC’s prospects in Rivers State, which they described as a strategic state for the party’s future electoral ambitions in the Niger Delta.

They further accused Wike of making statements they believed challenged presidential authority and posed risks to national security. In particular, they cited remarks attributed to him suggesting that “nobody can enter Rivers State,” which they interpreted as an attempt to portray the state as a no-go area for perceived opponents.

Describing the comments as a subtle but dangerous threat, the coalition cautioned that such rhetoric could heighten tensions in the Niger Delta and encourage disorder. They argued that implying restricted access to any part of Nigeria undermined the constitutional authority of the president as commander-in-chief.

The APC leaders also criticised Mr Wike for allegedly boasting about controlling ‘two political parties’ while serving as a minister. They said such an admission pointed to a serious conflict of interest and a breach of party ethics.

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According to the coalition, keeping Mr Wike in the federal cabinet risked dragging the APC into unnecessary internal crises ahead of the 2027 general elections. They therefore urged President Tinubu to take firm and timely action.

The groups also disclosed plans to escalate their protests across the country, promising to organise rallies in states and local government areas nationwide until Mr Wike was removed from office.

While pressing for swift intervention, the signatories reiterated their loyalty to President Tinubu, urging him to show that no individual was bigger than the party or the nation. They concluded by reaffirming their support for his leadership and his bid for re-election.