Politics

Rivers Turmoil: NDN Warns Tinubu — Stop Wike or Risk Losing Control

Published by admin on January 9th, 2026.

Rivers Turmoil: NDN Warns Tinubu — Stop Wike or Risk Losing Control

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The Niger Delta Network (NDN), a leading civil advocacy organization, has issued a stern warning to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the escalating political actions of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, citing serious implications for Rivers State, the Niger Delta, and Nigeria’s democratic stability.

In a press release dated Thursday, January 8, 2026, the group expressed deep concern that Wike’s conduct threatens both party cohesion and constitutional governance, portraying the President as ineffective in curbing destabilizing influences within his own administration.

According to NDN, Wike’s interventions have shifted from targeting the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to undermining the All Progressives Congress (APC) itself. The organization questioned whose interests the minister truly serves, alleging that his directives — including orchestrating defections — aim not to strengthen the APC but to weaken it in Rivers State.

The group further claimed that Wike continues to assure President Tinubu of loyalty while engaging in actions that erode party authority and government credibility. NDN warned that failure to rein in Wike could deepen the national leadership crisis and destabilize the Niger Delta region.

Highlighting Rivers State, the statement argued that Wike, who is not formally a member of the APC, appears to dictate political outcomes, even challenging Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s authority as party leader. NDN attributed over half of the current crisis — including impeachment threats against Fubara — to the governor’s defection to the APC and Wike’s political interference.

The organization cautioned that if the impeachment succeeds, it could set a dangerous precedent, signaling that governors defecting to the APC are vulnerable and that the party leadership cannot protect its members. NDN also pointed to potential weaknesses in South-South political leadership, suggesting that Senate President Godswill Akpabio may lack the influence to safeguard leaders in the Niger Delta.

Describing Wike as a “power-hungry politician,” the group warned that a successful removal of Fubara would embolden him to extend his influence across other states in the region.

Concluding, NDN issued a direct warning to President Tinubu: “If Mr. President fails to check Wike, Wike will surely check him. The time to act is now before Nigeria’s democracy is further threatened.”

The statement was signed by NDN National President Akparawa Prince Emmanuel Sam and Director of Publicity Dr. John Douglas, and released to journalists in Port Harcourt on January 8, 2026.