Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has defended his recent visit to the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, saying politics should not prevent personal relationships among leaders.
Speaking with journalists during an inspection of ongoing road projects in Karu, Apo Karshi and Kubwa on Wednesday, Wike dismissed speculations surrounding the meeting and described the controversy as unnecessary political interpretation.
According to the minister, he and Yilwatda were former colleagues before the APC chairman assumed his current leadership role, stressing that friendship and mutual respect should not be sacrificed because of political affiliations.
“We were all colleagues before he left for the chairmanship of APC. So what should I do anytime I see him? Hide? Anytime he sees me, should he run away because people will talk?” Wike asked.
The former Rivers State governor also disclosed that the visit was a reciprocal gesture, explaining that Yilwatda had earlier attempted several times to visit him at his office without success.
Responding to criticism over the absence of an official statement after the meeting, Wike insisted that he was under no obligation to publicly explain his personal associations or private interactions.
The minister, who remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party despite serving in the administration of President Bola Tinubu, argued that freedom of association goes beyond political party boundaries.
Wike maintained that his focus remains on delivering projects and improving infrastructure for residents of the Federal Capital Territory rather than worrying about political speculation or public perception.
“What’s important to me is what I’m doing for my people,” he stated while highlighting ongoing development projects across Abuja.
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