The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has said the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is free to join the ruling party whenever he chooses.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that Yilwatda stated this on Wednesday during a media chat in Abuja, emphasising that the APC does not compel individuals to become members.
The APC chairman stressed that party membership is voluntary, noting that Wike remains at liberty to decide his political future.
“If he wants to join the APC, he is free. We don’t compel people to join the APC; they do so willingly,” he said.
He added that there is no requirement for political appointees to formally join the ruling party before serving in government.
Yilwatda also defended the decision of Bola Tinubu to appoint Wike despite his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to him, cross-party appointments are not new in Nigeria’s political history.
He cited examples of Bala Mohammed and Adamu Aliero, who served as ministers under PDP administrations despite belonging to other parties.
“What is wrong if President Tinubu is doing exactly what two former presidents have done and nobody condemned?” he asked.
The APC chairman questioned why criticism has been largely directed at Wike alone, noting that other opposition members are also serving in the current administration.
He referenced Bianca Ojukwu, who is from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), as another example.
“Why are they not hammering on the minister of state for foreign affairs? Why Wike only?” he queried.
Yilwatda reiterated that Wike sought and obtained approval from the PDP before accepting the ministerial role.
“Wike wrote to the National Working Committee of the PDP in 2023… The NWC approved that he should come and serve with us,” he said.
The APC chairman added that Tinubu has demonstrated openness by appointing individuals across political divides, including some who previously criticised him.
“People who insulted him… he openly welcomed them to serve where he feels they have the capacity,” Yilwatda said.