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Tinubu’s Visit: Shehu Sani Knocks Wike Over Public Holiday

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A former senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has berated the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, for declaring a public holiday and shutting down businesses in the state over the visit of the president-elect, Bola Tinubu.

Sani lambasted Wike, saying the governor’s action was a sign of “desperation for favours.”

Wike had, in a statewide broadcast on Tuesday, declared Wednesday, May 3, as a public holiday to enable residents of the state to come out en masse to welcome Tinubu to the state.

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The Rivers governor also ordered that all shops and business premises on the Rumuola to Rumuokwuta roads in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state should be closed from 8.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. on Wednesday.

READ ALSO: Police Kill Suspected Kidnapper In Delta Hotel Raid

He directed labour unions and security agencies to ensure compliance with the closure order.

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Sani, however, in a post posted to his verified Twitter handle on Wednesday, condemned Wike’s action, while asking the president-elect to discourage such actions so that it would not become a norm.

Sani wrote, “Commissioning a project is a mark of a great achievement. Kudos. But grounding the economic, social & educational activities of the state for that purpose is a mark of desperation for favours & accommodation by a lickspittle. Tinubu can say no to that or else it becomes the norm.”

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APC Leaders, Tinubu/Shettima Group Call For Wike’s Removal As FCT Minister

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A coalition of leaders within the All Progressives Congress (APC), operating under the APC Leaders Forum (ALF) and the Tinubu/Shettima Solidarity Movement (TSSM), has issued a strongly worded open letter, calling for the immediate removal of Nyesom Wike as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), citing alleged insubordination, anti-party activities, and threats to national unity.

In the open letter dated 7 January 2026, and addressed to President Bola Tinubu through the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, the groups accused Wike of actions they described as incompatible with his continued stay in the cabinet of an APC-led government.

The letter, jointly signed by leaders of the two groups, was made public on Wednesday as members staged a peaceful rally at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja. The groups said the rally was part of a broader mobilisation to “defend party integrity, democratic values and the Renewed Hope Agenda” of the Tinubu administration.

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The signatories—Dr. Emeka Okoro, Dr. Adekunle Balogun, Ibrahim Yusuf, and Abdulkareem Isiaka—who described themselves as loyal supporters of President Tinubu, said their decision to speak out was driven by what they termed “egregious misconduct” by the former Rivers State governor, warning that silence could endanger party unity and national stability.

READ ALSO:[BREAKING] Fubara Vs Wike: Tension As Rivers House Of Assembly Suddenly Resumes Plenary

Central to their grievances were allegations that Wike, who is not formally registered as a member of the APC, had launched sustained attacks on the party’s national leadership.

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They cited remarks allegedly made by Wike during a visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State on 5 January 2026, where he reportedly accused the APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, of interfering in Rivers politics for personal gain.

According to the letter, Wike’s comments, including a warning that those meddling in Rivers affairs would “get their fingers burnt,” amounted to intimidation and a direct insult to the APC National Working Committee. The groups said such statements undermined the authority of the party leadership and violated the discipline expected of a serving minister.

The coalition also accused Wike of working against the APC-led government in Rivers State, alleging that he had persistently attacked Governor Siminalayi Fubara, whom they described as the party’s duly elected governor in the state. They claimed Wike had publicly ridiculed Fubara’s leadership, questioned the legitimacy of his emergence, and openly suggested that his election should be reversed in 2027.

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READ ALSO:BREAKING: Rivers Assembly Initiates Impeachment Proceedings Against Gov Fubara

The letter partly read: “Wike’s ongoing vendetta against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, our duly elected APC Governor in Rivers State, is nothing short of political sabotage. He has repeatedly mocked Fubara’s leadership, called his emergence a ‘mistake’ to be corrected in 2027, and accused him of betrayal and incompetence. These attacks have escalated in recent weeks, with Wike touring local governments to incite division and undermine Fubara’s administration.

“As a serving minister in an APC-led government, Wike’s actions amount to anti-party activities that weaken our hold on Rivers State—a key battleground for the APC’s future electoral success. How can we trust a man who actively works against our own governor while enjoying the privileges of your administration?”

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They argued that such conduct amounted to political sabotage and anti-party activity, especially coming from a minister in an APC administration, warning that it could weaken the party’s foothold in the strategically important Niger Delta state.

The groups also accused Wike of making statements they said posed a direct challenge to presidential authority and national security. They pointed to remarks attributed to him suggesting that “nobody can enter Rivers State,” which they interpreted as an attempt to declare the state a no-go area for perceived opponents.

READ ALSO:Fubara: Mistakes Of 2023 Will Not Be Repeated In 2027 – Wike Vows

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Describing the comments as a veiled threat, the groups warned that such rhetoric could inflame tensions in the Niger Delta and embolden lawlessness. They argued that any suggestion of restricting access to a Nigerian state was an affront to the President’s authority as Commander-in-Chief.

The APC leaders further criticised Wike for allegedly admitting to controlling “two political parties” while serving as a minister, describing it as a clear conflict of interest and a violation of party ethics.

They warned that retaining Wike in the cabinet could plunge the APC into avoidable crises ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging President Tinubu to act decisively.

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The groups also announced plans to extend their protests nationwide, vowing to mobilise rallies across states and local governments until the Minister is relieved of his appointment.

While calling for swift action, the signatories urged the President to demonstrate that no individual is above the party or the country, even as they reaffirmed their support for Tinubu’s leadership and re-election bid.

 

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BREAKING: Rivers Assembly Initiates Impeachment Proceedings Against Gov Fubara

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The political situation in Rivers State shifted again on Thursday as members of the State House of Assembly initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Ngozi Oduh.

At a plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, the Majority Leader of the House, Major Jack, formally read the notice detailing allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara.

READ ALSO:FULL LIST: Approved Physical Verification Centres For CDCFIB 2025 Screening

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The notice, which was endorsed by 26 lawmakers, accused the governor of actions allegedly in violation of the Nigerian Constitution.

Amaewhule announced that the notice would be served on the governor within the next seven days.

During the same sitting, the Deputy Majority Leader, Linda Stewart, read the notice of allegations and gross misconduct leveled against Deputy Governor Ngozi Oduh.

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[BREAKING] Fubara Vs Wike: Tension As Rivers House Of Assembly Suddenly Resumes Plenary

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Rivers State House of Assembly will resume plenary today, bringing forward its earlier scheduled return date of January 26.

According to DAILY POST, the sudden resumption comes amid the ongoing political rivalry between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

READ ALSO:Fubara: Mistakes Of 2023 Will Not Be Repeated In 2027 – Wike Vows

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Recall that majority of the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly are loyal to the FCT Minister, who have sworn to work against Fubara in 2027.

Tension arising from the power struggle between Wike and Fubara has created uncertainties and anxieties in the oil rich Niger Delta state.

Details to follow…

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