The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed criticism surrounding his recent visit to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, insisting that his actions should not be misinterpreted as political alignment or rivalry.
Speaking to journalists after inspecting ongoing infrastructure projects in Abuja, Wike said his engagement with the APC chairman was purely personal and rooted in courtesy, not official political engagement.
He explained that the visit was private and questioned why such social interactions should be made public or subjected to political scrutiny.
According to him, individuals are free to maintain relationships across party lines, adding that he does not subscribe to what he described as “politics of enmity.”
Wike also rejected suggestions that members of opposing parties, including the APC and the PDP, must avoid one another.
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He stressed that his relationship with Yilwatda predates the latter’s emergence as APC National Chairman, noting that they had worked as colleagues in the past.
“We’re 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?”
The minister further explained that the visit was a response to earlier unsuccessful attempts by Yilwatda to meet him at his office.
He said that due to his tight schedule and the volume of official engagements he handles as minister, the APC chairman was unable to secure an appointment, prompting him to make a reciprocal visit.
Wike added that his priority remains the effective discharge of his duties and delivering results for those who appointed him.
“What’s important to me is what I’m doing for my people,” Wike concluded, stressing that performance in office outweighs political speculation or public interpretation of his personal interactions.