Rivers crisis: Ijaw group asks Tinubu to redeploy Wike to Niger Delta Ministry

Ahead of the 2027 general election, a Niger Delta group, the Ijaw National Congress, West Africa Chapter, has asked President Bola Tinubu to redeploy Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, to the Ministry of the Niger Delta.

The Ijaw group made the request in a pre-action notice contained in a letter addressed to President Tinubu, and made available to journalists on Wednesday.

The letter, dated January 6, 2026, is signed by Rev. Dr. Perry Aperela, Chairman, INC West African Chapter.

In the letter titled, ‘Pre-action notice requesting redeployment/transfer of the Minister of the FCT Nyesom Wike from the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to the Ministry of Niger Delta’, the group said the minister needs to be closer to Rivers State due to his continuous campaign activities in the state ahead of the 2027 election.

“This serves as a formal pre-action notice to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, demanding the redeployment/transfer of Nyesom Wike from the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to the Ministry of the Niger Delta.

“The reason for this request is that Nyesom Wike needs to be closer to Rivers State due to his continuous campaigning activities ahead of the 2027 elections in Rivers State. He has been traveling from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to Rivers State every weekend in recent times, which clearly indicates that his political engagements are more centered in the Niger Delta region.

“In view of this, it is only appropriate and administratively reasonable that he be redeployed/transferred to the Ministry of the Niger Delta to align his ministerial responsibilities with his political activities and regional proximity,” the letter read.

The minister has, in recent days, held series of political engagements with different stakeholders in Rivers State, where he vowed total support for President Tinubu amid renewed hostilities with the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

Wike’s alleged opposition to Fubara’s second term bid has led to a face-off between him and All Progressives Congress, APC, National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, who advised him to resign his appointment as minister and face the politics of Rivers State.

Wike had warned Basiru against interfering in Rivers politics, stressing that he will get his hands burnt if he persists.

Rivers crisis: Ijaw group asks Tinubu to redeploy Wike to Niger Delta Ministry