• Nyesom Wike, FCT Minister

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, declared that he is not afraid to be sacked by President Bola Tinubu from his cabinet.

This was his reaction to some of his critics including a coalition of leaders within the All Progressives Congress (APC), operating under the APC Leaders Forum (ALF), calling for his removal as a nonmember of the ruling party cum his recent hostility towards the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, following his recent defection to the APC.

The coalition cited alleged insubordination, anti-party activities, and threats to national unity as grounds for removing Wike from office.

While speaking during a “thank you” visit to Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Wike clapped back at his critics, insisting that Tinubu can sack him if he desires.

“If my appointor believes that I cannot offer anything again, he has the right. It’s not that you should tell him,” said Wike.

The minister added that the reason his name is on the lips of many, including his critics, is due to the commendable works he is executing as minister.

“I am proud, and Rivers people are proud,  and we can tell Nigerians that we have not disappointed them as far as FCT is concerned. 

I said it yesterday in port harcourt. and i want people to know this clearly. if you are not doing well, nobody will talk about you. but because we are doing well, people must talk about us.”

The Rivers State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Nma Odu, citing allegations of gross misconduct.

During Thursday’s plenary session, presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, Majority Leader Hon. Major Jack presented a notice invoking Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution. He outlined seven points of alleged gross misconduct against Governor Fubara, including:

– Demolition of the Assembly Complex

– Extra-budgetary spending

– Withholding funds allocated to the Assembly Service Commission

– Refusal to comply with Supreme Court rulings on financial autonomy for the legislature

The notice was reportedly signed by 26 lawmakers.

Speaker Amaewhule announced that the formal impeachment notice would be served on Governor Fubara within the next seven days, in accordance with constitutional procedures.

In the same session, Deputy Majority Leader Hon. Linda Stewart tabled a separate notice against Deputy Governor Odu, accusing her of:

1. Reckless and unconstitutional spending of public funds

2. Obstructing the House of Assembly from performing its constitutional duties

3. Conniving to allow unauthorized persons to occupy offices without proper screening by the legitimate Assembly

4. Seeking budgetary approval from an unauthorized group instead of the recognized Rivers State House of Assembly

5. Seizure of salaries and allowances due to the Assembly and its Service Commission.

This development marks a fresh escalation in the protracted political crisis in Rivers State, amid ongoing tensions over legislative autonomy, budget processes, and governance.

The Assembly’s actions come against the backdrop of previous impeachment attempts and disputes involving the executive and legislature.

No immediate response has been issued from the governor’s office.

• Photo: Nyesom Wike, FCT Minister

A coalition of leaders within the All Progressives Congress (APC) are calling for swift removal of Nyesom Wike as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and from President Tinubu’s cabinet.

The coalition comprises the APC Leaders Forum (ALF) and the Tinubu/Shettima Solidarity Movement (TSSM), made the call a strongly worded open letter to Mr President, calling for Wike’s immediate removal urging the President to demonstrate that no individual is above the party or the country, even as they reaffirmed their support for Tinubu’s leadership and re-election bid.

In the open letter dated 7 January 2026, and addressed to President Bola Tinubu through the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, the groups are citing insubordination, anti-party activities, and threats to national unity.

They are accusing Wike of actions they described as 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.

The groups said the rally was 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 silence could endanger party unity and national stability.

Central to their grievances were allegations that Wike, who is not formally registered as a member of the APC, had launched sustained 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 5 January 2026, where he reportedly accused the APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, of interfering in Rivers politics for personal gain.

The coalition also 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.

“As a serving minister in an APC-led government, Wike’s actions amount to anti-party activities that weaken our hold on Rivers State—a key battleground for the APC’s future electoral success. How can we trust a man who actively works against our own governor while enjoying the privileges of your administration?”