Rivers Crisis: Tinubu Receives Three Reports On Wike

… From APC Leaders, Govs, NSA

Indications emerged on Sunday that President Bola Tinubu may have received three separate reports detailing what is termed the “destabilising activities” of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike in Rivers State during the president’s end of year vacation outside the country.

The president left Nigeria for Europe on 28th December, 2025, from where he traveled to the United Arab Emirates where he attended official functions. He returned to the country on 17th January, 2026.

THE WHISTLER’s investigation confirmed that the reports were separately submitted to President Tinubu by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), while another one was said to have been filed by the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), an umbrella body of APC governors.

The third report, allegedly detailing the security implications of the minister’s actions, was said to have been submitted to the president by one of the security agencies, through the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).

A presidential source confirmed to THE WHISTLER on Sunday that the president had indeed received the reports shortly after he arrived in the country on January 17.

The source, however, could not confirm what the reports contained, guessing that judging by the minister’s public conduct during the president’s absence, “the content of the reports might not look really good.”

As of the time of filing this report, it could not be independently ascertained whether or not President Tinubu had gone through the reports.

However, observers have noted the clear and direct message in the recent public statement by one of the president’s spokespersons, Daniel Bwala.

In what many saw as an open rebuke of the FCT minister, Bwala, had, during a Channels TV interview programme, warned that the Rivers governor must be allowed to do his job without undue interference.

The presidential spokesperson had, among other things, said, “I agree with the point highlighted by the National Chairman that in Rivers State, Governor Fubara is the leader of the APC. Wike is not a member of the APC, so he cannot speak for the party.

“He may be regarded as a leader within the PDP in Rivers State, having been a former governor, but the APC leader in the state is Governor Fubara.”

Bwala also emphasised that President Tinubu believes strongly in the rule of law and best democratic practices, adding that the APC respects internal party procedures.

“What the National Chairman said is what the party stands by because he respects party procedures. The President believes in the rule of law and due process, and the party will always respect that,” he added.

Addressing concerns about Wike’s influence within the Federal Government, Bwala noted that while the FCT minister has been adequately compensated for his role, such privileges do not override national interest.

“We’ve heard people complain that as a cabinet member, Wike enjoys certain benefits.

“The President believes in compensating people, but not at the expense of the interest of Nigeria. President Bola Tinubu gives latitude, but once you cross the line, you will know.”

On the ongoing political tension in Rivers State, Bwala further said the matter between Wike and Governor Fubara is being handled within the framework of the law.

“When you ask who is the leader of the party, the answer is the governor. The impeachment procedure must be consistent with the practice of law and constitutional requirements.

“There are court orders stopping the impeachment, and the party is clear: nobody should stop Governor Fubara from governing Rivers State.”

He stressed that Wike, is not a member of the ruling party and therefore cannot speak on its behalf, adding that Tinubu respects boundaries across party lines.

“The President even respects the rights of states governed by the PDP. Even where the APC may want to challenge them, he believes that a governor, regardless of party, should be allowed to govern.”

According to him, this position reflects President Tinubu’s broader commitment to democratic stability, party discipline, and constitutional governance nationwide.

While the president was away, moves were made by the Rivers State House of Assembly to impeach the governor, Siminalayi Fubara, leading to the heating of the political temperature in Rivers State for many days.

The move by the assembly to impeach the governor had sparked a row between Wike and key leaders of the APC, as the minister has never hidden the fact that he’s been the one instigating the impeachment move.

In an apparent move to instil a semblance of political order in Rivers, both the APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda and the National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru had waded in by affirming Governor Fubara as the leader of the APC in Rivers State.

Recall that Fubara had, on 9th December, 2025, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to the APC, a move that was said to have caught the FCT minister unawares.

But instead of clearing the cloud of uncertainty over the governor’s status in the ruling party, the intervention of the two APC leaders ignited open confrontation, with the FCT minister publicly denigrating the APC leadership in uncomplimentary terms.

In the heat of the crisis, the APC National Secretary Basiru, had cautioned Wike, asking him to resign his position in the federal cabinet and face Rivers politics squarely.

Basiru had also reminded the minister of the fact that he was not a member of the APC and that he should steer clear of the party’s affairs in Rivers State.

The minister had responded by cautioning Basiru, who is from Osun State, to watch his statements because “some people worked for what he is enjoying today.”

In that context, Wike made allusions to the recent ruling of the Supreme Court on the withheld Osun State local governments funds.

Critics and the reading public had interpreted the minister’s statements to mean that the apex court’s ruling might have been influenced in favour of the federal government against the government of Osun State.

Recall that the apex court had, on 5th December, 2025, struck out the case filed by the Osun State government seeking the release of over N131.5 billion local government funds withheld by the federal government.

The Supreme Court struck out the case on technical grounds, saying that the Osun State Attorney General, who filed the suit was not the appropriate person to approach the court on behalf of the councils. On the other hand, the apex court also ruled that it’s unlawful for the federal government to withhold the funds.

Wike had insisted that Governor Fubara must not seek re-election in 2027, citing what he called “agreement” which he said the governor entered into.

The minister is also disputing pronouncement by the APC leadership recognising Governor Fubara as the leader of the APC in Rivers State.