Sack Wike For Neglecting FCT Amid Rivers Political Battle, CSO Tells Tinubu

The Peoples Alliance for Indigenous Rights (PAIR) has urged President Bola Tinubu to sack the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, for alleged governance failure in the nation’s capital.

Adolor Asoro, National Coordinator of the civil society group, alleged that the minister has abdicated his administrative responsibility entrusted to him to pursue his personal agenda against Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State.

“At present, the FCT is in dire straits. Workers have been on strike, and the minister, rather than engage them, has dragged them to court. Not long ago, primary schools in the FCT were on strike for over three months, and the minister could not resolve the matter between teachers and area councils, leading to the loss of an academic term by pupils in public schools,” Asoro said in a statement.

It further stated that “resident doctors called off their strike only recently, while other health workers are on strike, impelling the health of Abuja residents. Also, residents are in serious jeopardy as public taps have been pumping untreated water since November 2025 due to the non-release of funds to the water board.

“Secondary school students have no hope of preparing properly for external exams as teachers and markers of past exams have not been paid since last year. The health facilities in the FCT are in serious decline, while refuse is taking over major streets due to non-payment of cleaners.

“The crime rate is at an all-time high, and this robs off negatively on the global effort of Mr President to position Abuja as a destination of choice for meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions,” Asoro stated.

According to him, the country stands at a critical juncture with the President working assiduously for a progressive, stable, united, and purposeful governance for all Nigerians through the Renewed Hope Agenda, however, all that can be undone by one individual “who continues to sow discord and undermine the collective progress of our nation and that is: the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

“With a wholesome trust by the President in Minister Wike, it is imagined that the minister will dedicate his time, energy and goodwill to the administering of the FCT, rather than his political style has consistently been disruptive. From Rivers State to the national stage, his actions have deepened political fractures rather than healed them. His unwarranted attempt to impeach Governor Fubara through the State House of Assembly goes against the esteemed and fatherly intervention of the President throughout the duration of the avoidable crisis.

“It is important we reiterate that the President, as the leader of the country and of the All Progressives Congress (APC), you reward loyalty and continues to do so. Wike has been more than rewarded for his support in the 2023 elections, but cannot continue to posture as the only contributor to the President’s success going forward.

“To allow that thinking to gain momentum is dangerous and can be counterproductive in building bridges across the various ethnic and political leanings in Rivers State. The minister’s tour of local governments in Rivers State with his rhetoric and maneuvers have inflamed tensions, eroding trust in institutions and distracting from the urgent task of governance.

“It must be stated that disregarding the President’s directive for peace and stability in the state is an affront when viewed against the peace intervention between the executive and Lagos Speaker, which has seen amity and reconciliation between all parties. This is an insurrection and must not be allowed to persist.

“We further wish to stress that Minister Wike is not a member of the APC. Therefore, to allow him to continue to harass and intimidate a governor of the ruling party is a clear affront. After all, the National Chairman of the Party has sounded the warning: join the APC, or quit! Mr President, this is the time to let Wike go!” The PAIR demanded.

The CSO argued that the President retaining Minister Wike sends the wrong signal to Nigerians who expect leadership rooted in integrity, stability, and national interest; therefore, “cutting ties with Wike is not just a political necessity—it is a moral imperative to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy and restore confidence in governance.”