Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has dismissed criticism that his recent visit to APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda was a political maneuver, insisting the meeting was a personal, non‑partisan encounter.
Speaking to reporters while inspecting road works in Karu, Apo‑Karshi and Kubwa, Wike said the purpose of his trip was to check progress on the projects and to urge contractors to meet deadlines. He added that the brief stop at Yilwatda’s residence was not a “politics of enmity” but a courteous interaction between long‑time acquaintances.
When asked why no official statement followed the visit, the minister explained that private social engagements are not subject to public disclosure. “People are free to relate with others regardless of party differences,” he said, warning against turning every informal meeting into a political headline. He questioned the need for the media to amplify a private encounter, asking why “a private visit should become something the whole world must be informed about.”
Wike also refuted the notion that politicians from opposing parties should avoid each other altogether. He reminded the press that he and Yilwatda had worked together for years before the latter assumed the APC chairmanship. “We’re all colleagues before he left for that role,” he said, adding that neither should feel compelled to hide or flee when the other appears in public.
According to the minister, the visit was prompted after Yilwatda attempted several times to meet him at the ministerial office without securing an appointment. “As a busy minister I receive many visitors; when he could not get an appointment, I decided to go to him at his home,” Wike explained. He emphasized that his priority remains delivering on the mandates of his office and meeting the expectations of the president who appointed him.
The minister stressed that public speculation does not affect his work. “What’s important to me is what I’m doing for my people,” he said, underscoring that tangible results matter more than political interpretations.
The episode highlights the delicate balance Nigerian officials must strike between public scrutiny and personal interactions across party lines. As Wike continues to oversee infrastructure projects in the Federal Capital Territory, observers will watch whether his stance on cross‑party courtesy influences broader political discourse in the country.
