Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), operating under the APC Leaders Forum (ALF) and the Tinubu/Shettima Solidarity Movement (TSSM), on Wednesday staged a peaceful protest in Abuja, calling for the immediate removal of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over allegations of insubordination and anti-party activities.

The protesters submitted an open letter and issued a press statement addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, routed through the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda. They accused the former Rivers State governor of repeatedly attacking the party’s leadership and engaging in actions they said pose a threat to national cohesion.

Speaking to journalists during the rally, the organisers said the protest was motivated by “grave concerns for the stability of the APC, the security of the nation and the preservation of democratic values.”

While affirming their loyalty to President Tinubu and support for the Renewed Hope Agenda, the groups said they could no longer ignore what they described as Wike’s “persistent and unacceptable conduct.”

According to the statement, the FCT minister’s actions constituted “a direct affront to the APC leadership, a challenge to the authority of the President and a dangerous provocation capable of destabilising Rivers State and the wider Niger Delta region.”

The protesters accused Wike of launching “unwarranted attacks” on the APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, despite allegedly not being a registered member of the party. They referenced remarks reportedly made by Wike during a visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State on January 5, 2026, where he was quoted as warning that those interfering in Rivers politics would “get their fingers burnt.”

They further alleged that Wike has continued to undermine Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, describing such actions as political sabotage and anti-party behaviour capable of weakening the APC’s electoral fortunes in the state.

The groups also condemned an alleged statement by Wike that “nobody can enter Rivers State,” describing it as a veiled challenge to President Tinubu’s authority as Commander-in-Chief and a statement capable of inflaming political tensions.

Warning that the Abuja protest could be replicated across the country, the demonstrators insisted that no individual was bigger than the party or the nation.

The statement was jointly signed by Chief Dr Emeka Okoro, Dr Adekunle Balogun, Alhaji Ibrahim Yusuf and Mallam Abdulkareem Isiaka, who urged President Tinubu to act decisively in the interest of party unity, national stability and democratic order.