Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has responded to criticism over his recent visit to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, saying he does not engage in what he described as “politics of enmity.”
Wike spoke with journalists on Wednesday during an inspection of ongoing road projects in Karu, Apo-Karshi and Kubwa, where he stressed the need for timely completion of the projects.
The former Rivers State governor said his visit to the APC chairman was not political but a personal and respectful interaction between acquaintances.
He maintained that he was not under any obligation to publicly explain his private movements or social visits.
According to him, people are free to maintain relationships regardless of political party differences, adding that not every interaction should be interpreted through a political lens.
Wike questioned why a private visit should become an issue that “the whole world” must be informed about.
He also dismissed suggestions that politicians from opposing parties, such as the APC and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, should avoid each other completely.
The minister recalled that he and Yilwatda had worked together in the past and had known each other long before the APC chairman assumed his current position.
“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?” Wike said.
He explained that the visit also followed several unsuccessful attempts by Yilwatda to meet him at his office.
According to Wike, his busy schedule as minister makes it difficult to attend to every visitor, prompting him to visit the APC chairman at home instead.
The minister added that his major concern remains delivering on his responsibilities and meeting the expectations of the President who appointed him.
He stated that public opinion and political speculation would not distract him from his duties.
“What’s important to me is what I’m doing for my people,” Wike added, stressing that performance in office matters more than political interpretations.
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