A significant development has emerged in Nigeria's political landscape as a prominent journalists' association has called for the removal of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike. The Karamchi Online Journalists Forum has formally urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to dismiss Minister Wike, citing acts of disrespect towards the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminallayi Fubara.
Forum's Strong Condemnation and Demand
In a strongly-worded statement released on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, the forum accused the former Rivers State governor of abusing and ridiculing Governor Fubara, who is now a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The forum's national chairman, Comrade Sani Ahmad, described Wike's recent remarks as acts of disrespect, discrimination, and a direct affront to the entire APC.
"It is very unfair and unbecoming for a non-member of the ruling party, APC, to mock and intimidate a full member," Ahmad stated. He emphasized that Wike, who remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has no right to comment on the APC's internal affairs, specifically regarding the governorship ticket in Rivers State.
APC Secretary Joins the Fray
Adding weight to the controversy, the National Secretary of the APC, Senator Ajibola Basiru, also took a swipe at the FCT Minister. Basiru advised Wike to resign from his ministerial position in President Tinubu's cabinet and focus on his political preoccupation with Rivers State. The former senator declared his unwavering support for Governor Fubara amidst the renewed political tensions.
Basiru further cautioned the APC's South-South Chairman, Victor Giadom, against making derogatory statements about the Rivers governor. He stressed that members of the party's National Working Committee (NWC) should not be seen as taking sides in any internal political crisis.
Wike's Stance and the Underlying Crisis
The forum's call for action stems from Wike's recent comments questioning the guarantee of an automatic second-term ticket for Governor Fubara. These remarks have reignited the political crisis in Rivers State, which had experienced a brief period of calm following an intervention brokered by President Tinubu.
Despite the ongoing friction, Minister Wike has publicly reaffirmed his total support for President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections. On Tuesday, January 6, while conducting political consultations across Local Government Areas in Rivers State—including visits to Oyigbo, Ogu-Bolo, Akuku-Toru, and Degema—Wike declared his political structure's full commitment to the President.
The journalists' forum, however, remains firm in its position. It argued that the presidency "would not afford to lose a biological son in favour of the adopted one," metaphorically describing Fubara as the legitimate member and Wike as the outsider. They demanded that Governor Fubara be allowed to administer his government free from harassment or intimidation.
"Wike should desist from using any kind of insult or political coercion against Governor Fubara," the forum added, emphasizing that no individual should be allowed to abuse state power to target political opponents.
