A coalition of leaders within the All Progressives Congress (APC), operating under the banners of the APC Leaders Forum (ALF) and the Tinubu/Shettima Solidarity Movement (TSSM), has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remove the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Wike, from office, citing alleged insubordination, anti-party conduct, and actions that threaten national cohesion.

In an open letter dated January 7, 2026, addressed to the President through the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, the groups accused Wike of persistently undermining the leadership of the ruling party and challenging the authority of the President.

The coalition staged peaceful rallies at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja, with a pledge to extend the demonstrations across the country until their demand is met.

According to the statement, the call for Wike’s removal was prompted by what the group described as a pattern of confrontational remarks and political interference. They cited his recent comments during a political tour in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he allegedly accused APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, of meddling in state politics for personal gain.

The leaders said the minister’s warning that those who interfere in Rivers affairs would “get their fingers burnt” amounted to intimidation and an affront to the authority of the party’s National Working Committee.

The group further accused Wike of waging a sustained campaign against Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, whom they described as the duly elected APC governor. They alleged that the minister had publicly ridiculed the governor’s leadership and worked to undermine his administration, actions they said constitute anti-party activity.

“These actions, coming from a serving minister in an APC-led government, undermine party unity and weaken the party’s political standing in Rivers State,” the statement said.

Raising concerns over national security, the coalition also criticised what it described as Wike’s inflammatory rhetoric, particularly a reported statement that “nobody can enter Rivers State.” The group said such comments challenge the authority of the Federal Government and could inflame tensions in the Niger Delta region.

Describing Wike’s continued stay in the cabinet as a “political liability,” the leaders argued that his alleged admission of exercising influence over more than one political party while serving in an APC government represents a serious conflict of interest.

They warned that failure to address the situation could deepen internal divisions within the APC and negatively affect the party’s prospects ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“We will continue to mobilise our members nationwide in defence of the party, the President’s leadership, and the unity of the country until this matter is decisively resolved,” the statement said.

The open letter was jointly signed by Chief Dr. Emeka Okoro, South-East State Elder and APC chieftain; Dr. Adekunle Balogun, National Coordinator of the Tinubu/Shettima Solidarity Movement; Alhaji Ibrahim Yusuf, National Youth Vanguard Leader; and Mallam Abdulkareem Isiaka, spokesperson for the coalition.

The Statement reads:
As steadfast supporters of your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, we have stood by you through thick and thin, mobilizing grassroots support for the APC’s successes in the 2023 elections and beyond. However, we can no longer remain silent in the face of egregious misconduct by one of your appointees, Mr. Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. Wike’s actions represent a brazen assault on the APC’s leadership, a direct threat to your authority as President, and a dangerous incitement that could destabilize Rivers State and the entire Niger Delta region. We demand his immediate sack to preserve party unity, protect our elected officials, and safeguard national peace.

Let us outline the litany of offenses that compel this urgent action:
A) Insults and Attacks on APC National Leadership: Wike, who is not even a registered member of the APC despite serving in your cabinet, has launched vicious, unprovoked attacks on our National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru. During his so-called “thank-you tour” in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State on January 5, 2026, Wike accused Basiru of meddling in Rivers politics solely for personal gain, insinuating that Basiru is eyeing the state’s purported N600 billion resources. He went further to issue veiled threats, warning that anyone interfering in Rivers would “get their fingers burnt.” This is not only an insult to Basiru’s integrity but a direct affront to the entire APC National Working Committee, including our National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, whose leadership Wike has indirectly undermined by attempting to dictate party affairs in Rivers State as if he were its godfather. Such arrogance from a non-member is intolerable and erodes the party’s discipline.

B) Relentless Attacks on the APC Governor of Rivers State: 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?

C) Direct Threat to Your Excellency and National Security: Perhaps most alarmingly, Wike’s inflammatory statement that “nobody can enter Rivers State” is a thinly veiled threat to your authority as Commander-in-Chief. Declaring Rivers a “no-go area” for perceived opponents, including APC leaders, implies a blockade against federal intervention and challenges the sovereignty of the Nigerian state. This is not mere rhetoric; it is a dangerous provocation that could incite violence, reminiscent of past Niger Delta crises. As President, you have the right—and duty—to access any part of Nigeria without hindrance. Wike’s words are a direct attack on your presidency, suggesting he views himself above the law and the APC’s hierarchy. We cannot allow such impunity to fester, as it risks emboldening separatist elements and destabilizing the region.

Your Excellency, Wike’s presence in your cabinet is a liability that the APC can no longer afford. He has openly admitted to controlling “two political parties” while serving in an APC government, a clear conflict of interest that mocks our party’s constitution. His obsession with Rivers politics has distracted from his ministerial duties, and his threats have drawn battle lines within the party. We echo the calls from our National Secretary and other leaders: Wike must go, or he will drag the APC into unnecessary turmoil ahead of 2027 cost us victory at the General elections (God forbid).

Be informed that we shall proceed with this rally not only at the National Secretariat but across the length and breadth of this country—state by state, local government by local government—until Nyesom Wike is relieved of his appointment as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. This is a solemn commitment we make in defence of the party, your leadership, and the unity of Nigeria. We shall not relent until justice is served and the voice of the people is respected.

Today we are gathering in solidarity with you, Governor Fubara, Senator Basiru, and Chairman Yilwatda to reaffirm our commitment to the APC’s unity and your re-election bid. We urge you to act swiftly—sack Wike immediately to send a clear message that no individual is bigger than the party or the nation.

We remain your loyal supporters, ready to mobilize for the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Bothered over persistent insecurity across the country, a coalition of families torn apart by rampant banditry in Northwest Nigeria has appealed directly to President Bola Tinubu to investigate serious allegations against two former governors.

The Coalition of Families Affected by Banditry, representing victims who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods to relentless violence, has written a letter to the President in Abuja.

Exhausted by domestic inaction, they called on the President to help uncover the truth behind claims that policies under former Zamfara Governor Ahmed Sani Yerima and former Sokoto Governor Attahiru Bafarawa laid the groundwork for the region’s insecurity through the seizure of grazing reserves and arming of vigilante groups.

In the letter signed by Chairperson Otuba Rawene, Secretary Sani Usman, PRO Haj. Hadijat Abdullahi, and 20 others, the group said: ” Many of us have lost loved ones in brutal killings, seen family members abducted, or been forced to flee our homes, leaving behind livelihoods and communities destroyed by violence.

“We write to Your Excellency with a profound sense of urgency and responsibility, seeking your support in addressing grave allegations recently made public by notorious bandit leader Bello Turji.

“In a widely circulated video released in December, 2025, Turji accused former Zamfara State Governor Ahmed Sani Yerima and former Sokoto State Governor Attahiru Bafarawa of laying the foundations for the current insecurity crisis.

“Specifically, he claimed that their policies— including the seizure and sale of grazing reserves and the arming of vigilante groups that targeted Fulani communities ignited ethnic tensions and cycles of reprisal violence that evolved into today’s widespread banditry.

“While we acknowledge that Bello Turji is a wanted criminal responsible for countless atrocities, including the deaths of many of our relatives, we believe these allegations warrant serious and impartial scrutiny.

“As the proverb goes, ‘where there is smoke, there is fire.’ Having exhausted domestic avenues for justice often met with inaction or allegations being dismissed we turn to the President, a steadfast champion of human rights and accountability, as our last hope for uncovering the truth and ensuring justice prevails.

“The scale of suffering caused by banditry in Northwest Nigeria is staggering and demands international attention.

Reliable reports indicate thousands of civilian deaths, mass displacements, and profound economic devastation. For instance, between 2018 and 2020 alone, armed banditry caused at least 4,900 deaths.

“In the first half of 2025, over 2,266 people were killed by insurgents and bandits, surpassing the total for all of 2024. Recent data document thousands abducted annually, with verified ransom payments reaching billions of naira (e.g., N2.57 billion between July 2024 and June 2025).

“These attacks have displaced hundreds of thousands, disrupted agriculture and trade, deepened poverty, and inflicted lasting trauma on survivors. Communities live in constant fear, with bandits imposing illegal levies and operating with impunity.

“As victims seeking justice and an end to this cycle of violence, we implore the Nigerian government to publicly to launch a prompt, independent, and thorough investigation into Bello Turji’s allegations against the named former governors. Offer technical assistance or support international oversight to ensure the probe is credible and free from political interference.

“Advocate for broader measures to address impunity, including sanctions if evidence of complicity in serious crimes emerges. We firmly believe that accountability for those who may have contributed to this crisis regardless of their status is essential to breaking the cycle of violence and restoring peace.”

BusinessMetrics, an independent industry performance evaluator, says the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) is delivering sustained progress in the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), with reforms that are strengthening investor confidence, deepening transparency and repositioning the upstream industry for long-term growth.

In a statement released on Monday, BusinessMetrics said its latest sector review shows that NUPRC’s regulatory measures over the last year “reflect a deliberate shift toward predictable, technology-driven and investment-friendly governance,” noting that these improvements are already reshaping Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global energy market.

According to the statement, one of the Commission’s most significant achievements is the rapid digitisation of oversight systems that monitor production, metering accuracy, fiscal obligations and environmental performance.

BusinessMetrics said these digital tools have “reduced reporting delays, improved data integrity and enhanced the global credibility of Nigeria’s upstream statistics”.

“The availability of reliable, real-time data is one of the strongest indicators of a trustworthy investment climate,” the organisation said.

“NUPRC’s digital reforms are raising confidence among operators and international financiers who rely on transparent information before committing capital to new field developments.”

The evaluator also noted improvements in licensing and regulatory approval processes, describing the Commission’s approach as more structured, rules-based and commercially coherent compared to previous years.

“Clearer timelines for approvals, structured consultations with operators and the alignment of regulatory decisions with PIA provisions have created a more efficient operating environment,” the firm said.

“This is enabling quicker movement on projects, reducing administrative bottlenecks and giving investors greater clarity on regulatory expectations.”

The organisation said fiscal clarity under the PIA, implemented through NUPRC, has equally enhanced the attractiveness of Nigeria’s upstream assets, leading to renewed activity around marginal fields, reactivation of dormant licences and fresh commitments from both indigenous and international operators.

“The fiscal certainty introduced by the PIA continues to incentivise capital deployment. We are seeing a gradual resurgence in upstream investment appetite, driven by the clarity and predictability that investors have long demanded,” the statement added.

On gas development and decarbonisation, BusinessMetrics commended NUPRC’s enforcement of domestic gas delivery obligations and its frameworks for flare-gas commercialisation, saying these efforts are opening new growth corridors for Nigeria’s energy transition.

“The Commission’s work in gas monetisation is particularly impactful. It supports industrial expansion, contributes to power stability and positions gas as a central pillar of Nigeria’s economic transformation,” the statement added.

The evaluator further highlighted progress in customer-facing reforms, including the strengthening of the One-Stop Regulatory Centre, which it described as a crucial tool for reducing red tape and improving the ease of doing business in the upstream sector.

“This approach aligns with global best practices and signals institutional willingness to reduce friction for investors,” BusinessMetrics noted.

While acknowledging the complexity of Nigeria’s upstream environment, the organisation said the Commission’s consistent delivery on its mandate is helping restore confidence in the sector.

“With sustained implementation of the PIA, Nigeria is better positioned to compete for global capital, increase production capacity and advance long-term energy security,” the organisation said.

BusinessMetrics concluded that NUPRC’s progress “sets a solid foundation for deeper reforms” and urged continued institutional discipline, innovation and investor-focused regulation to fully unlock Nigeria’s upstream potential.