Saturday, February 21, 2026 l Dalena News Desk
ABUJA, NIGERIA — A Nigerian political scientist and lawyer based abroad has formally petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, demanding the removal and investigation of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), over alleged actions linked to the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State.
In a four-page petition dated February 8, 2026, the petitioner, Kio Amachree, identified as a Nigerian-American academic and political analyst, accused Wike of being a destabilising force in the Niger Delta’s political landscape and urged Tinubu to hold him accountable. The document was submitted through the Office of the Chief of Staff at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa and copied to key national security and anti-corruption institutions including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Amachree’s petition centres on what he termed federal interference and “dangerous, provocative” conduct in Rivers State — claims that he said have contributed to deepening tensions and undermining peace in the oil-producing region. He called for Wike’s immediate removal from office and a thorough probe into allegations of corruption, abuse of office and unexplained wealth, including a forensic review of luxury vehicles, properties overseas and related financial records tied to the minister and his associates.
The petitioner also highlighted an alleged recording circulating online purportedly implicating Wike in threatening a political opponent. “Selective justice destroys nations,” the letter warned, arguing that failure to investigate such matters could further erode public confidence in governance and the rule of law.
In urging action, Amachree emphasised that Rivers State is not an insurgency theatre, describing it instead as a highly productive and stable region that should not be subject to what he termed unnecessary federal intervention. He also appealed to security agencies to consider redeploying resources to address genuine threats elsewhere in Nigeria rather than perceived politically motivated operations in Rivers.
The petition did not go unaddressed on social media platforms, with screenshots and excerpts circulating widely, sparking debate among political observers and regional interest groups. Supporters of Wike dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, while critics echoed calls for accountability and transparency.
This latest demand for Wike’s removal comes amid broader controversies surrounding governance and political tensions in parts of the Niger Delta, where stakeholders have increasingly sought federal intervention to resolve long-standing socio-economic and security challenges.