Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has publicly addressed mounting calls for his removal from office, firmly stating that such a decision rests exclusively with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Wike's Defiant Stance on Presidential Prerogative
The former Rivers State governor made his position clear on Sunday, January 11, 2026, during a thank-you visit to Obio/Akpor Local Government Area in Rivers State. Addressing a gathering of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders, traditional rulers, women, and youths, Wike dismissed the noise from his critics.
"Don’t bother about people who say ‘sack him,’" Wike declared. "If my appointor believes I cannot offer anything again, he has the right, not that you should tell him. I am proud that the people of Obio/Akpor, the people of Rivers State, and Nigerians know we have not disappointed them in the FCT."
Local Support and Political Undertones
The event also featured strong endorsements for the minister. The Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Gift Worlu, praised Wike as a major asset to the council, state, and nation. Worlu's comments carried significant political weight, hinting at future alignments.
"When it comes to who should be President of Nigeria in 2027, we know where to go. As for the governorship of Rivers State, we know where not to go. We will not go the way of ingratitude, disappointment, or disloyalty," Worlu stated, in a clear reference to the ongoing feud between Wike and the current Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Background: The Rivers Feud and Presidential Intervention
The calls for Wike's removal are deeply intertwined with the protracted political crisis in Rivers State. Recall that President Tinubu had previously intervened in the feud between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Wike, as tensions threatened to boil over.
Reports indicate that Tinubu and Wike are scheduled to meet abroad to further discuss the Rivers crisis, including potential impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara. An ally of Wike has denied the minister's involvement in any impeachment plot, asserting that Rivers State lawmakers are independently driving the actions.
The demand for Wike's sacking was recently amplified by the pro-democracy group, NADECO. The group urged President Tinubu to immediately remove Wike as FCT Minister to restore stability in Rivers State, linking the move to the impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara.
As the political landscape evolves, Wike's message remains unequivocal: his tenure as FCT Minister is a matter solely for President Tinubu's judgment, a point he continues to assert amidst the swirling controversies.
