The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is said to be weighing a series of measures aimed at curbing what party leaders have described as the “excesses and disruptive conduct” of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Multiple party sources disclosed to The Whistler that the move, allegedly being initiated at the level of the APC national leadership, is intended to restrain the minister from causing internal disharmony, particularly in Rivers State.
Wike has been at loggerheads with the APC leadership over the party’s open support for the 2027 re-election of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The pro-Fubara position has reportedly received backing from key figures in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, including Vice President Kashim Shettima and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Wike, who is Fubara’s immediate predecessor, was instrumental in mobilising the political structure that ensured Fubara’s emergence as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate and his victory in the 2023 election.
However, cracks reportedly emerged barely five months into Fubara’s tenure, following disagreements over power sharing and control of state resources.
The rift later degenerated into impeachment moves against the governor and prolonged political tension, culminating in the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State in March 2025 and the suspension of the governor and members of the House of Assembly for six months.
Political dynamics in the state shifted after the emergency rule was lifted, with Fubara realigning politically towards President Tinubu.
The realignment culminated in the governor’s defection from the PDP to the APC on December 9, 2025, a move described by party insiders as “a successful political ambush” that reportedly caught the FCT minister unawares.
Investigations revealed that moves to “cut the minister to size” are allegedly being coordinated by an influential APC governor from the South-East.
The governor is said to be displeased by alleged attempts inspired by Wike to raise a political counterforce in his state using a PDP ally as the arrowhead.
Party sources further disclosed that the plan could involve mobilising APC governors, ministers, party leaders and key stakeholders in government who are said to have grown weary of the minister’s conduct.
Senior APC figures, including Vice President Shettima, are said to have deplored Wike’s recent public conduct, particularly his verbal attacks on the APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru.
The clash followed the party’s open declaration of support for Fubara’s second-term bid and his recognition as the leader of the APC in Rivers State by the party’s National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, and other government officials.
It was gathered that part of the strategy is for aggrieved party leaders to present a resolution to President Tinubu, outlining reasons they can no longer accommodate Wike in an APC-led administration.
“As a matter of fact, they are going to ask the President to choose between Wike and the leadership of the APC, a demand that could put the President in a dilemma,” a source told The Whistler.
The stakeholders are reportedly waiting for the President’s return from his end-of-year vacation abroad to table their demands.
Despite the alleged plot, Wike is said to be undeterred and has continued touring local government areas in Rivers State to canvass support for President Tinubu’s re-election.
The minister has vowed to frustrate any move by the APC to grant Governor Fubara a second-term ticket, insisting there is a subsisting agreement that the governor would not seek re-election.
According to him, the President was aware of the agreement, which he said must be respected, maintaining that “agreement is agreement.”
Wike further claimed that part of the deal was for him to nominate Fubara’s successor, a role he has insisted on playing.
However, an APC leader, who spoke anonymously due to the sensitivity of the issue, dismissed the minister’s claims.
“Minister Wike is talking about an agreement he had with Governor Fubara of the PDP. But what we have today is Governor Fubara of the APC, so there is a difference between the two,” the source said.