Tension as Protest Hits APC Headquarters, Tinubu Told to Sack Wike.
By Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu
Democracy Newsline
January 24, 2026
Abuja was thrown into political tension on Friday as angry youths besieged the national headquarters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), demanding the immediate removal of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over allegations of disrespect toward party leaders.
The protesters, who gathered early at the APC national secretariat, carried placards with bold inscriptions such as “Stop Disrespecting APC Members,” “Wike Is Not Above APC,” and “President Tinubu, Sack Wike Now.” The demonstration drew the attention of party officials, security operatives, and passers-by, highlighting growing internal cracks within the ruling party.
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The protest comes on the heels of a public altercation between Wike and the National Secretary of the APC, Ajibola Basiru, over recent political developments in Rivers State. The verbal exchange, which played out in the media space, reignited debates over Wike’s political style, loyalty, and influence within the APC.
Protesters accused the former Rivers State governor of acting with impunity and treating the party as personal property, insisting that no individual—regardless of political weight—should undermine party hierarchy and discipline.
One protest leader, who declined to be named, said:
“APC is a democratic party. No minister is bigger than the party. President Tinubu must act now before this disrespect destroys the unity of APC.”
Videos of the protest quickly went viral, sparking heated reactions across social media and political circles. While some Nigerians described the demonstration as a necessary show of internal accountability, others dismissed it as a sponsored move aimed at weakening a powerful political figure.
Political analyst warned that removing Wike could backfire on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu:
“This is a strong show of public pressure, no doubt. But it would be suicidal for Tinubu to sack Wike. Whether you like his methods or not, Wike remains a strategic political force.”
Several voices within the APC and Tinubu’s political camp have openly defended the FCT minister. A presidential aide, Dr. Quark, described Wike as a committed ally of the president.
“When people gang up against you, it often means you’re doing something right. Jagaban loves Wike, and none of these sponsored protests can change that. He is a man of principles.”
Another commentator, Bart, argued that political realities ahead of the 2027 elections make Wike untouchable:
“Tinubu has the power to sack Wike, but he won’t try it. Wike delivered Rivers State against all odds for Tinubu in 2023. You don’t discard such a political asset lightly.”
The protest has once again exposed fault lines within the APC, particularly over the balance between political pragmatism and party discipline. Analysts warn that failure to manage the crisis could deepen divisions and weaken party cohesion ahead of future elections.
For now, President Tinubu has remained silent on the matter, leaving Nigerians to speculate on whether the protest will force decisive action—or fade as another episode in Nigeria’s ever-dramatic political theatre.
One thing is clear: the controversy surrounding Nyesom Wike has once again placed the APC at a crossroads, where unity, loyalty, and political survival collide.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, JANUARY 25TH 2026)
