APC Leaders, Tinubu/Shettima Support Groups Demand Sack of Wike at Abuja Rally

Leaders and members of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), operating under the banners of the APC Leaders Forum (ALF) and the Tinubu/Shettima Solidarity Movement (TSSM), on Wednesday staged a peaceful protest in Abuja, demanding the immediate removal of Nyesom Wike as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The rally, which took place near the APC National Secretariat, marks a significant escalation in growing internal tensions within the ruling party.

 

Ejes Gist News reports that the protesters said their action was driven by what they described as deep concern for party unity, national security, and the preservation of democratic norms under the Tinubu administration.

 

Protest Targets FCT Minister Over Alleged Conduct

The demonstrators, made up of party leaders, grassroots mobilisers, and pro-government activists, accused the former Rivers State governor of conduct they claimed is incompatible with his position in an APC-led federal government.

According to the organisers, Wike’s public statements and political actions have crossed acceptable boundaries, creating internal divisions and threatening the cohesion of the ruling party at a critical time.

They warned that failure to address the situation promptly could weaken the APC’s internal discipline and undermine confidence in the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

 

Rally Held Near APC National Secretariat

The protest was carefully coordinated and described by organisers as peaceful and lawful. Participants converged close to the APC National Secretariat, carrying placards, chanting pro-Tinubu slogans, and displaying banners calling for party discipline and accountability.

The protesters said the symbolic location was chosen to underscore their loyalty to the APC’s leadership structure and to ensure that their demands reached both the party hierarchy and the presidency.

Security operatives were present in the area, and the rally proceeded without reported incidents.

Open Letter Submitted to Party Leadership

As part of the protest, the groups submitted an open letter and issued a formal press statement addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The communication was routed through the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda.

In the letter, the groups accused Wike of alleged insubordination, persistent verbal attacks on the APC’s national leadership, and actions they claimed were capable of undermining the authority of the president.

They described themselves as loyal party members acting in defence of party supremacy and democratic order.

Allegations of Insubordination and Anti-Party Behaviour

Central to the protesters’ demands were allegations that Wike has repeatedly acted in ways inconsistent with the expectations of a serving minister in an APC-led government.

They alleged that:

• Wike has made public statements attacking APC national officers
• His utterances have fueled internal party discord
• His conduct undermines collective responsibility within the federal cabinet
• His actions weaken the APC’s standing in politically sensitive states

The groups argued that ministers are expected to demonstrate restraint, loyalty, and respect for party structures, regardless of their personal political history.

Focus on Alleged Attacks Against APC National Secretary

A major point of contention raised during the rally was Wike’s alleged verbal attacks on the APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru.

The protesters referenced comments attributed to Wike during a “thank-you tour” of Oyigbo Local Government Area in Rivers State on January 5, 2026. According to them, Wike accused Senator Basiru of interfering in Rivers politics for personal reasons and allegedly warned that anyone who meddled in the state’s affairs would “get their fingers burnt.”

The rally organisers described the remarks as unprovoked, inflammatory, and disrespectful to the APC’s National Working Committee (NWC).

They further argued that Wike, whom they noted is not a registered APC member, lacks the moral authority to publicly disparage the party’s elected national officers.

Rivers Crisis and Alleged Political Destabilisation

Beyond party-level grievances, the protesters accused the FCT minister of playing a destabilising role in the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State.

They linked Wike to the prolonged feud between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and factions aligned with the former governor, arguing that his continued public criticism of the governor has worsened tensions.

According to the groups, Wike has allegedly:

• Mocked Governor Fubara’s leadership
• Described his emergence as a political “mistake”
• Suggested the situation would be “corrected” in a future election cycle

They argued that such statements amount to political sabotage and undermine democratic stability in the state.

Strategic Importance of Rivers State

The protesters stressed that Rivers State remains a strategic political and economic hub, particularly for the APC’s long-term electoral ambitions.

They described the state as a critical battleground whose stability is essential for:

• National economic security, given its oil and gas resources
• Regional peace in the Niger Delta
• The APC’s future electoral prospects

According to them, internal conflicts and public power struggles risk alienating voters and weakening the party’s influence in the region.

Alleged Challenge to Presidential Authority

The rally also highlighted what organisers described as a direct challenge to President Tinubu’s authority.

They cited an alleged statement attributed to Wike suggesting that “nobody can enter Rivers State,” which the protesters interpreted as implying that the state could be treated as a no-go area.

The groups warned that such language is dangerous, particularly in a federal system where freedom of movement is constitutionally guaranteed.

They argued that any suggestion of restricting access to a state amounts to questioning the authority of the president as Commander-in-Chief and threatens national unity.

Threat of Nationwide Protests

In a significant escalation, the APC leaders and Tinubu/Shettima support groups warned that the Abuja rally would not be their last action if their demands are ignored.

They threatened to organise coordinated protests across states and local government areas nationwide until Wike is removed from office.

According to the organisers, the proposed nationwide mobilisation is intended to:

• Defend party supremacy
• Reinforce discipline within the APC
• Protect President Tinubu’s leadership authority
• Prevent further political destabilisation

They maintained that their actions are lawful, peaceful, and rooted in loyalty to the party and the presidency.

Call for Decisive Presidential Action

The protesters urged President Tinubu to take decisive action by relieving Wike of his appointment as FCT minister.

They argued that doing so would send a strong message that no individual is bigger than the party or the nation, regardless of political influence or past contributions.

According to them, swift intervention would help:

• De-escalate political tensions
• Restore confidence among party members
• Reinforce internal discipline
• Strengthen the administration’s reform agenda

 

Also Read :

Fubara Jets out, Meets Tinubu in France Amid Impeachment Plot

Rivers Lawmakers Begin Impeachment Proceedings Against Governor Siminalayi Fubara

 

Signatories and Organisers

The statement issued at the rally was jointly signed by Chief Dr. Emeka Okoro, Dr. Adekunle Balogun, Alhaji Ibrahim Yusuf, and Mallam Abdulkareem Isiaka.

The signatories reaffirmed their loyalty to President Tinubu, pledged continued support for the Renewed Hope Agenda, and expressed solidarity with the APC national leadership, Senator Ajibola Basiru, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

They described their actions as a principled stand against what they see as growing indiscipline and internal contradictions within the ruling party.

Official Silence as Tensions Grow

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Presidency nor the office of the FCT minister had issued an official response to the demands raised at the Abuja rally.

The development underscores rising internal pressures within the APC and highlights the complex political balancing act facing the Tinubu administration as it seeks to maintain unity while managing competing interests and strong personalities within its ranks.