Abuja, January 8, 2026 – Leaders from two pro-All Progressives Congress (APC) groups, the APC Leaders Forum (ALF) and the Tinubu/Shettima Solidarity Movement (TSSM), organized a peaceful protest rally at the party's national secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday, calling for the immediate dismissal of Nyesom Wike as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The demonstration, which drew attention to ongoing political tensions in Rivers State, involved the submission of an open letter dated January 7, 2026, addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and delivered through the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda. The groups accused Wike, a former Rivers State governor and member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), of insubordination, repeated attacks on APC leadership, and actions that they claim threaten party unity and national stability.
In statements to journalists at the rally, representatives of the groups emphasized their loyalty to President Tinubu and his Renewed Hope Agenda, describing the protest as a necessary step to safeguard the ruling party's cohesion, national security, and democratic values. They portrayed Wike's behavior as "grave misconduct" that undermines presidential authority and risks destabilizing Rivers State and the broader Niger Delta region.
A key grievance highlighted during the protest was Wike's alleged verbal attacks on the APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru. The groups referenced comments reportedly made by Wike on January 5, 2026, during a visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area in Rivers State. In those remarks, Wike reportedly warned Basiru against interfering in Rivers politics, stating that anyone who did so would "get their fingers burnt" and describing Rivers as a "no-go area." The protesters characterized these statements as insulting and a direct affront to the APC's National Working Committee, especially since Wike is not a registered member of the party.
The rally leaders also accused Wike of persistent criticism of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who recently defected to the APC. They claimed Wike has mocked Fubara's leadership, referred to his governorship as a "mistake" that would be "corrected" in 2027, and undermined the governor's administration through various public statements. Recent exchanges between the two escalated in early January 2026, with Wike responding to alleged insults from Fubara by asserting that the same political forces now derided helped elevate the governor. The groups argued that such conduct constitutes anti-party activities, potentially harming the APC's electoral prospects in Rivers State.
Another point of contention was Wike's alleged declaration that "nobody can enter Rivers State," which the protesters interpreted as a challenge to President Tinubu's authority as Commander-in-Chief. They warned that such rhetoric could inflame regional tensions and evoke memories of past militancy in the Niger Delta.
The protesting groups vowed to escalate their actions if their demands are not met, threatening nationwide demonstrations across states and local governments until Wike is removed. They framed their campaign as being in solidarity with Governor Fubara, Senator Basiru, and APC National Chairman Yilwatda, urging President Tinubu to intervene decisively to reinforce party discipline and national unity.
The open letter and press statement were jointly signed by Chief Dr. Emeka Okoro, Dr. Adekunle Balogun, Alhaji Ibrahim Yusuf, and Mallam Abdulkareem Isiaka, who reiterated their unwavering support for President Tinubu.
This protest comes amid heightened political friction in Rivers State following Governor Fubara's defection to the APC in late 2025, which has intensified the long-standing rivalry between him and Wike. Wike, despite retaining his ministerial position in the APC-led federal government, has maintained strong influence over PDP structures in the state and has publicly reaffirmed his "total support" for President Tinubu. Earlier in the week, exchanges between Wike and APC National Secretary Basiru had already sparked internal party debates, with Basiru calling on Wike to resign and focus on Rivers politics.
The APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, who assumed the role in 2025 after serving as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, has been navigating various party issues, including recent condemnations of security challenges elsewhere in the country. As of now, there has been no official response from the presidency or Wike to the protest demands.
This development underscores growing divisions within the ruling party over the role of non-APC members in key government positions and the management of state-level crises. Analysts suggest that President Tinubu may face pressure to balance loyalty to allies like Wike, who played a significant role in his 2023 election victory, against calls for party harmony ahead of future elections.
The rally remained peaceful, with no reports of violence or arrests, as participants dispersed after submitting their letter and addressing the media.
