A civil advocacy organisation, the Niger Delta Network, has expressed concern over the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike’s, alleged political recklessness and its implications for Rivers State, the Niger Delta region, and Nigeria’s democracy. In a press statement, the group claimed that Wike’s actions threaten party stability, regional peace, and constitutional governance.
The Network alleged that Wike’s conduct has portrayed President Bola Tinubu as a weak leader, allowing a serving minister to openly destabilise political institutions while remaining in government. The statement, signed by National President Akparawa Emmanuel Sam and Director of Publicity John Douglas, noted that Wike’s actions now cut across party lines, having initially targeted the Peoples Democratic Party and now allegedly destabilising the All Progressives Congress.
The group questioned whose interest Wike is truly serving, accusing him of directing his loyalists to defect to the APC in Rivers State to undermine the party, rather than build it. They also alleged that Wike plans to sponsor another governorship candidate against the ruling party. The statement claimed that Wike has continued to assure President Tinubu of loyalty while taking actions that undermine the party and the government.
The crisis between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly, including impeachment threats, was cited as an example of Wike’s influence. The group alleged that the ongoing crisis is “60 per cent caused” by the governor’s defection to the APC. They warned that a successful impeachment of Governor Fubara could trigger widespread instability across the Niger Delta, embolden political strongmen, and deepen regional tension.
The Niger Delta Network argued that such an outcome would signal that no governor defecting to the APC is politically safe and that assurances from the party’s national leadership cannot be relied upon. The group warned that the removal of Fubara would embolden Wike to seek political dominance across other Niger Delta States, and ultimately threaten Nigeria’s democracy. They urged President Tinubu to take action to stop Wike’s alleged political recklessness, stating that failure to do so could have serious national consequences.
