The APC leaders made the demand in a memo addressed to President Tinubu through the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda.
A coalition of leaders within the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on President Bola Tinubu to remove the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, from office over alleged anti-party activities, and statements that threaten national unity.
The APC leaders made the demand in a memo addressed to President Tinubu through the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda.
The letter coincided with a planned rally at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja, described by the organisers as a demonstration by party loyalists.
The memo was signed by; Dr Emeka Okoro, South-East APC chieftain; Alhaji Ibrahim Yusuf, an APC national youth vanguard leader, Dr. Adekunle Balogun, national coordinator, Tinubu/Shettima movement and Mallam Abdulkareem Isiaka, the spokesperson.
According to the statement, the protest was convened out of concern for the stability of the ruling party and what was described as repeated misconduct by the FCT Minister, who was appointed from outside the APC.
The APC chiefs accused Wike, a former governor of Rivers State and a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), of persistently attacking the party leadership despite serving in an APC-led federal government.
In particular, they cited remarks allegedly made by Wike on January 5 during a “thank-you tour” in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he was said to have criticised the APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru.
According to the letter, Wike accused Basiru of interfering in Rivers State politics for personal reasons and warned that those who meddle in the state would “get their fingers burnt.”
The APC leaders described the comments as an insult to the party’s National Working Committee and an attempt by Wike to assert undue influence over party affairs in Rivers State, despite not being a registered member of the APC.
The APC chiefs also accused the FCT Minister of undermining the APC-led government in Rivers State through sustained criticism of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
They alleged that Wike has publicly mocked the governor’s leadership, described his emergence as a “mistake,” and suggested that the situation should be corrected in the 2027 general elections.
According to the statement, Wike’s tours across local government areas in Rivers State were aimed at inciting division and weakening the authority of the sitting governor, actions the APC leaders described as anti-party activities capable of eroding the party’s electoral prospects in the state.
Beyond internal party issues, they raised concerns over what they termed “dangerous and inflammatory statements” attributed to Wike, including claims that “nobody can enter Rivers State.”
They argued that such remarks amount to a challenge to federal authority and the constitutional powers of the President as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
The letter warned that describing any part of Nigeria as a “no-go area” could incite unrest and revive tensions in the Niger Delta region, posing risks to national security and unity.
They therefore urged President Tinubu to act decisively by removing Wike from office, arguing that failure to do so could deepen divisions within the party and weaken its electoral chances.
The statement further announced plans to expand the protest beyond Abuja, with rallies to be held across states and local government areas nationwide if their demand is not met.