Wike fires back at critics over meeting with APC chairman

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has pushed back against criticism surrounding his recent visit to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, insisting that the meeting had no political undertone despite growing public speculation.

Wike, who paid a visit to the APC chairman at his Abuja residence on Tuesday, said attempts to attach political meaning to the encounter were unnecessary and misleading.

Speaking with journalists on Wednesday during an inspection tour of ongoing road projects in Karu, Apo-Karshi and Kubwa, the minister defended his relationship with Yilwatda, stressing that political affiliations should not destroy personal bonds among leaders.

“We were all colleagues before he left for the chairmanship of the 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?” Wike queried.

The former Rivers State governor explained that the visit was merely a friendly gesture and not a secret political meeting as being portrayed in some quarters.

According to him, the APC chairman had previously tried on several occasions to meet him at his office without success, making the visit a simple act of courtesy and reciprocity.

Wike also dismissed concerns raised over the absence of an official statement or political communique after the meeting, arguing that he owed nobody explanations about his private relationships.

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The minister maintained that democracy allows individuals to freely associate across party lines, warning against the growing culture of politicising ordinary interactions between public office holders.

Despite serving in the administration of President Bola Tinubu, Wike reiterated that he remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party and has no reason to treat members of other political parties as enemies.

He insisted that his major concern remains governance, infrastructure delivery and fulfilling the expectations of residents of the Federal Capital Territory.

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

The FCT minister further stated that his attention is focused on satisfying his “appointor” through visible development projects rather than being distracted by political interpretations or public gossip.

Observers say the meeting has continued to generate reactions because of Wike’s increasingly close relationship with key figures in the ruling APC despite his official membership of the PDP, a development that has repeatedly fueled speculation about his long-term political direction.

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