North-Central APC forum defends Wike, opposes calls for his resignation

The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has thrown its weight behind the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, firmly rejecting calls for his resignation or removal from office.

In a statement issued on Monday and signed by its Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, the Forum condemned demands that President Bola Tinubu either sack or redeploy Wike, describing such calls as misguided and detrimental to development in the FCT.

The Forum’s reaction follows recent remarks by APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, who urged Wike to resign and focus on politics in Rivers State, where he is embroiled in a political dispute with Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Similar calls have also come from other groups and individuals, including the Ijaw National Congress, West Africa Chapter, which asked the President to redeploy Wike to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.

Dismissing these demands, the North-Central APC Forum insisted that Wike should be allowed to continue his work in the FCT, which it noted is part of the North-Central geopolitical zone. The group praised the minister for accelerating development in the territory, citing visible infrastructural projects executed under his leadership.

According to the Forum, attempts to force Wike out of office are aimed at undermining progress in the FCT and sabotaging the gains recorded by the Tinubu administration. It stressed that it has no interest in the political crisis in Rivers State, stating that its primary concern remains the development of the FCT and the wider North-Central region.

While saying it would not join issues with party leaders calling for Wike’s resignation, the Forum warned those behind the calls to desist, cautioning that such actions could trigger mass protests in the FCT.

The group further argued that Wike has added significant value to the current administration, particularly in infrastructure, and described it as wrong for party leaders to demand his resignation on the grounds that he is not a card-carrying APC member.

The Forum also claimed that Wike played a major role in the APC’s victory in the 2023 presidential election, asserting that his contribution surpassed that of many party leaders now calling for his resignation.

Urging the minister to remain focused, the North-Central APC Forum called on Wike to ignore the criticism and continue his developmental efforts in the FCT for the benefit of residents and the country at large.