Wike defends visit to APC Chairman, says he does not practice “Politics of Enmity”

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed public criticism trailing his recent visit to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, insisting that he does not engage in “politics of enmity.”

Wike spoke on Wednesday during an inspection tour of ongoing road projects in Karu, Apo-Karshi, and Kubwa areas of the FCT.

He described the controversy surrounding the visit as unnecessary, stressing that it was a private and cordial interaction between former colleagues in public service.

“We were 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?” he queried.

The minister explained that the visit was reciprocal, noting that the APC national chairman had previously attempted unsuccessfully to visit him at his office.

Wike maintained that he was under no obligation to publicly disclose details of his private meetings or social interactions, adding that political affiliation should not prevent personal relationships.

He further argued that associating with individuals across party lines does not translate to political betrayal, insisting that governance should be separated from personal relations.

According to him, his focus remains on delivering results in the FCT and satisfying the expectations of his appointing authority, rather than responding to political speculation.

“What’s important to me is what I’m doing for my people,” Wike said, adding that performance in office should outweigh public assumptions or interpretations of his personal interactions.