The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Nentawe Yilwatda, has said the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is free to join the ruling party, stressing that membership of the APC is entirely voluntary.
Yilwatda made the remarks during a media chat in Abuja on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, amid sustained speculation over Wike’s political alignment within the current administration.
He said the party does not compel individuals to defect, noting that its ranks have grown through voluntary association rather than coercion.
“If he decides to join the APC, he is free to do so. We do not force anyone to become a member. People join willingly,” he said.
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The APC chairman also dismissed claims that appointments under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are tied to party membership, maintaining that there is no requirement for appointees to belong to the ruling party.
“There is no agreement anywhere that you must join the APC before serving in this government,” he said.
Yilwatda added that the administration has adopted an inclusive approach, appointing individuals across political divides, including those who had previously criticized the president.
According to him, such decisions reflect a leadership style that prioritizes competence and broad participation over partisan considerations.
The remarks come against the backdrop of continued political realignments and debate over Wike’s role in the APC-led federal government despite his roots outside the party.