Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has responded to criticism surrounding his recent visit to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, insisting that he does not practice what he described as “politics of enmity.”
Wike spoke with journalists on Wednesday while inspecting ongoing road projects in Karu, Apo Karshi and Kubwa within the Federal Capital Territory.
The former Rivers State governor explained that his visit to the APC chairman was a personal interaction rooted in mutual respect and long standing acquaintance rather than political considerations.
According to him, he is under no obligation to publicly explain every private visit or social engagement.
Wike maintained that political differences should not prevent individuals from maintaining cordial relationships, adding that not every meeting should be interpreted through a political lens.
He questioned why a private visit should become an issue “the whole world” must be informed about.
The FCT minister also dismissed suggestions that members of different political parties, particularly the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, should avoid interacting with one another.
He recalled that his relationship with Yilwatda predates the latter’s emergence as APC national chairman.
“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 further explained that the APC chairman had previously attempted several times to meet him officially without success due to his busy schedule as minister.
According to Wike, since Yilwatda could not secure an appointment at his office, he decided to personally visit him at home instead.
The minister stressed that his primary concern remains the delivery of his responsibilities and meeting the expectations of the person who appointed him.
He added that public opinion and political speculation do not influence his performance in office.
“What’s important to me is what I’m doing for my people,” he said, noting that his achievements in office matter more than political interpretations.
