The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed speculations surrounding his recent visit to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Nentawe Yilwatda, insisting that the meeting was based on personal and professional relationship, not politics.
Wike spoke on Wednesday while inspecting ongoing road projects across parts of the FCT, including Karu, Apo-Karshi and Kubwa.
The minister said there was nothing unusual about his interaction with the APC chairman, stressing that political differences should not create hostility between individuals.
The former Rivers State governor said he does not believe in what he described as the “politics of enmity,” adding that people from different political parties can still maintain cordial relationships.
According to him, his visit to Yilwatda was private and did not require any public announcement or official briefing.
“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.
The minister explained that the APC chairman had tried on several occasions to see him officially but could not secure a meeting due to his tight schedule. He said he eventually decided to visit Yilwatda personally at his residence to listen to him.
Wike maintained that Nigerians should not interpret every meeting between politicians through the lens of political conspiracy, noting that association and friendship should not be restricted by party lines.
He also stated that his focus remains the delivery of projects in the FCT and satisfying President Bola Tinubu through effective service.
The minister said he was less concerned about public perception or political gossip, insisting that performance and visible results matter more to him than speculation from critics.
“What’s important to me is what I’m doing for my people,” he added.
During the inspection, Wike expressed satisfaction with the pace of work on several ongoing infrastructure projects across the capital city. He reiterated the administration’s commitment to ensuring timely completion of road networks aimed at easing transportation and improving connectivity in developing areas of Abuja.
The visit to the APC chairman had generated political discussions in recent days, especially because Wike remains a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party despite maintaining close ties with the ruling APC administration.