Wike defends visit to APC chairman, dismisses political speculations

The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has defended his visit to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Nentawe Yilwatda, saying the meeting was purely personal and should not be interpreted through a political lens.

Recall that Wike had visited Yilwatda at his residence in Abuja on Tuesday.

Speaking with journalists on Wednesday during an inspection of ongoing road projects in Karu, Apo-Karshi and Kubwa, Wike dismissed public reactions trailing the visit, insisting that political differences should not prevent cordial relationships among public officials.

“We were all colleagues before he left for the chairmanship of APC. So, what I should do anytime I see him is to hide? Anytime he sees me, he should run away so people will not say something?” he queried.

The minister explained that the visit was a return gesture, revealing that Yilwatda had earlier made several unsuccessful attempts to see him at his office.

Wike also rejected criticism over the absence of an official statement after the meeting, maintaining that he was not obligated to explain his personal relationships or private interactions to the public.

The former Rivers State governor, who remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party despite serving in the cabinet of President Bola Tinubu, said freedom of association should not be restricted by party affiliations.

He warned against reading political motives into ordinary social engagements, stressing that his focus remains on governance and service delivery in the Federal Capital Territory.

“What’s important to me is what I’m doing for my people,” Wike said.

He added that his priority is satisfying his “appointor” and delivering visible infrastructure projects for residents of the FCT rather than worrying about public speculation or “what somebody on the road is thinking.”