Wike Accused of Hijacking APC Structure in Abuja as Aggrieved Party Members Storm National Secretariat

Wike Accused of Hijacking APC Structure in Abuja as Aggrieved Party Members Storm National Secretariat

 

 

There is growing tension within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as aggrieved party members staged a protest at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, accusing the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, of orchestrating a hijack of the party’s structure in favor of recent defectors from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

 

 

Dozens of protesters gathered at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja, carrying placards with inscriptions such as: “We don’t want Aduda, we don’t want PDP members,” and “Stop PDP agents from hijacking APC FCT election.” The protesters voiced their frustration over what they described as the marginalization of long-standing APC members by recent defectors from the PDP, allegedly under Wike’s influence.

 

Spokesman for the group, Mallam Idris Jibril, addressed the media during the protest and submitted a formal petition to the party’s National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje. The petition, issued under the umbrella of the APC Consolidation Group, expressed concern over the infiltration of the party by individuals who, according to the group, neither align with APC’s values nor meet constitutional requirements for candidacy.

 

“This petition is borne out of deep concern over the dangerous infiltration of the FCT APC by individuals who neither reflect the values of the party nor meet the constitutional requirements for nomination, yet are being positioned as candidates in a brazen attempt to hijack our internal processes,” Jibril stated.

 

The group cited alleged violations of Article 20.1(iii) of the APC Constitution, which stipulates that only members with at least three months of financial contribution to the party are eligible to contest for elective positions.

 

Two specific cases were highlighted: Mr. Danjuma Samuel Shekwolo, who reportedly participated in the PDP Zonal Convention on May 24, only to pick up APC nomination forms two days later; and Mr. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, a sitting PDP Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council, who is allegedly seeking re-election under the APC despite not meeting the party’s minimum membership duration.

 

“These actions, if unchecked, will set a dangerous precedent — one that allows political turncoats and saboteurs to undermine our platform,” the petition read. “It frustrates long-serving loyal members and turns APC into a safe haven for rejected opposition elements.”

 

The protesters also raised alarm over the alleged role of Senator Philip Aduda, a known Wike loyalist and former PDP Senate Minority Whip, accusing him of working behind the scenes to install PDP loyalists into APC structures across the six area councils.

 

“Information reaching us indicates that Senator Aduda is leveraging the name of the Honourable Minister of the FCT, His Excellency Nyesom Wike, to intimidate party executives and force the imposition of these aspirants,” Jibril said. “We find this not only deceptive but also dangerous, as it fuels political tension within the FCT.”

 

While the group clarified that Minister Wike has not publicly endorsed any candidate, they expressed concern that his perceived backing is being used as a political tool to override the party’s democratic processes.

 

As of the time of filing this report, neither the APC National Chairman nor Minister Wike had issued an official response to the allegations.