A coalition of leaders within the All Progressives Congress (APC), operating under the APC Leaders Forum (ALF) and the Tinubu/Shettima Solidarity Movement (TSSM), has issued a strongly worded open letter demanding the immediate removal of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over alleged insubordination, anti-party activities and threats to national unity.
In the open letter dated January 7, 2026, and addressed to President Bola Tinubu through the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, the groups accused Wike of conduct they said was incompatible with his continued stay in the cabinet of an APC-led government.
The letter, jointly signed by leaders of the two groups, was made public on Wednesday as members staged a peaceful rally at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja. According to the organisers, the rally formed part of a broader mobilisation to “defend party integrity, democratic values and the Renewed Hope Agenda” of the Tinubu administration.
The signatories—Dr. Emeka Okoro, Dr. Adekunle Balogun, Ibrahim Yusuf and Abdulkareem Isiaka—who described themselves as loyal supporters of President Tinubu, said their decision to speak out was driven by what they termed “egregious misconduct” by the former Rivers State governor, warning that continued silence could endanger party unity and national stability.
Central to their grievances were allegations that Wike, who they noted is not formally registered as a member of the APC, had launched sustained verbal attacks on the party’s national leadership.
They cited remarks allegedly made by Wike during a visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State on January 5, 2026, where he reportedly accused the APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, of interfering in Rivers politics for personal gain.
According to the letter, Wike’s comments—including a 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. The groups argued that such statements undermined the authority of the party leadership and violated the discipline expected of a serving minister.
The coalition further accused Wike of working against the APC-led government in Rivers State, alleging that he had persistently attacked Governor Siminalayi Fubara, whom they described as the party’s duly elected governor in the state. They claimed Wike had publicly ridiculed Fubara’s leadership, questioned the legitimacy of his emergence and openly suggested that his election should be reversed in 2027.
Part of the letter read: “Wike’s ongoing vendetta against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, our duly elected APC Governor in Rivers State, is nothing short of political sabotage. 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.”
The groups urged President Tinubu to act decisively, warning that retaining Wike in the Federal Executive Council could further deepen internal divisions within the party and erode public confidence in the administration’s commitment to party discipline and cohesion.
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