The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has stated that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, is at liberty to join the ruling party if he so chooses.
Yilwatda made the remarks during a media chat on Wednesday night, emphasising that membership of the APC is entirely voluntary and not imposed on individuals.
“If he wants to join the APC, he is free to do so. We don’t compel people to join APC. People willingly join APC,” he said.
His comments come amid ongoing political speculation surrounding Wike’s relationship with the ruling party, despite being a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Addressing broader concerns about political appointments, Yilwatda dismissed suggestions that individuals must belong to the APC to serve in the administration of President Bola Tinubu. He noted that several appointees currently serving in government had previously been critical of the president.
“There’s nowhere you will see that there was an agreement with us that you must join APC before you serve in our government,” he stated.
He further argued that President Tinubu’s leadership style is inclusive, pointing out that critics have not been excluded from governance but rather accommodated.
“People that insulted Mr President, he appointed them. They are in our government. He didn’t ask them to join the APC,” Yilwatda said.
Highlighting what he described as openness in leadership, the APC chairman added: “Those that insulted him, he welcomed them in broad daylight.”
The remarks underscore the APC’s effort to project an image of political inclusiveness, even as realignments and cross-party relationships continue to shape Nigeria’s evolving political landscape ahead of future elections.
