Wike defends visit to APC chairman, says meeting was personal

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed speculations surrounding his recent visit to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Nentawe Yilwatda, insisting that the meeting was personal and not politically motivated.

Wike had visited Yilwatda at his residence in Abuja on Tuesday, a development that sparked reactions within political circles due to the minister’s continued membership of the Peoples Democratic Party while serving in the cabinet of President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking with journalists on Wednesday during the inspection of ongoing road projects in Karu, Apo-Karshi and Kubwa, Wike said political affiliations should not prevent public officials from maintaining cordial relationships.

“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?” Wike said.

The former Rivers State governor explained that the visit was a reciprocal gesture, noting that Yilwatda had previously attempted to meet him several times at his office without success.

Wike also dismissed criticisms over the absence of an official statement after the meeting, saying he was under no obligation to explain his personal associations or private engagements to the public.

According to him, freedom of association should not be restricted along party lines, warning against attaching political interpretations to routine social interactions among political leaders.

The minister stressed that his attention remains focused on governance and infrastructure delivery in the Federal Capital Territory rather than political speculation.

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

Wike added that his priority was to satisfy his “appointor” through effective service delivery and visible development projects across the FCT.