APC Under Pressure: Youth protesters demand Wike’s removal

A group of youths on Friday, January 23, 2026, staged a protest at the national secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja, calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remove the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over what they described as repeated acts of disrespect toward party leaders.

The protesters, who gathered at the party’s headquarters in the nation’s capital, carried placards bearing bold inscriptions to express their grievances. Among the messages displayed were: “President Tinubu, sack Wike now,” “Stop disrespecting APC members,” and “No minister is above APC.”

Other placards read, “APC no be Wike property,” “APC must wrestle order,” “Wike, APC leadership is not your mate,” and “Wike, no more political threats,” reflecting anger over what the demonstrators alleged to be the minister’s confrontational posture toward certain leaders of the ruling party.

The youths accused the former Rivers State governor of undermining party unity and disregarding established party structures. They maintained that although Wike currently serves in the cabinet of an APC-led administration, he must be seen to respect the leadership and internal mechanisms of the party.

Chanting solidarity songs and calling for internal discipline, the protesters urged President Tinubu, who is the national leader of the APC, to take decisive action to prevent what they described as growing tension within party ranks. According to them, failure to address the issue could deepen divisions and weaken the party’s cohesion ahead of future political engagements.

Security personnel were observed monitoring the protest to ensure order. Party officials had not issued a formal response to the demonstrators’ demands as of press time.

Wike, a prominent political figure and former member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was appointed FCT minister by President Tinubu following the 2023 general elections. His role in the current administration and his political engagements have continued to generate debate within political circles.

The development adds another layer to ongoing discussions about party discipline, loyalty and internal harmony within the APC.