President Bola Tinubu is facing mounting pressure to dismiss the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as a critical step towards resolving the escalating political turmoil in Rivers State. This urgent call was made by the pro-democracy group, the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) in the United States of America.
NADECO's Stern Warning to President Tinubu
Lloyd Ukwu, the President and CEO of NADECO USA, issued the demand during a statement in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. Ukwu asserted that the FCT minister's actions are at the heart of the political instability in Rivers State. He warned that sustainable peace would remain elusive until Wike is sanctioned by the president.
"The main problem in Rivers State today, as far as this crisis is concerned, is the Minister of the FCT. Rivers people know where the problem lies," Ukwu stated. He emphasized that Wike is an employee of the president and must be called to order. Removing him from office, according to NADECO, would signal that President Tinubu does not endorse Wike's perceived overbearing influence in the state's politics.
Impeachment Move and Northern Nigeria Warning
The call for Wike's removal comes against the backdrop of a dramatic political development in Rivers State. On Thursday, January 8, 2026, the state's House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu. The lawmakers leveled accusations of gross misconduct, constitutional breaches, and financial irregularities against the state's leadership.
NADECO highlighted that this move, undertaken while President Tinubu was out of the country, underscores the urgency for decisive intervention. The group cautioned that the president would be held responsible if the state descends into further chaos.
Beyond the Rivers State crisis, NADECO also sounded an alarm about the security situation in Northern Nigeria. The group urged President Tinubu to declare a six-month state of emergency in regions plagued by banditry and insurgency. NADECO warned that without restoring state control in these areas, a credible 2027 general election would be impossible.
Background of the Fubara-Wike Feud
The current impeachment proceedings are the latest episode in the ongoing and very public rift between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. Tensions between the two political figures have been simmering and became openly hostile during the Christmas holiday period, with both parties exchanging verbal attacks.
This political clash continues to dominate the landscape in Rivers State, raising concerns about governance and stability in one of Nigeria's most economically vital regions.
