The All Progressives Congress has defended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over his involvement in the February 21 Area Council elections, insisting he is constitutionally free to campaign for any political candidate of his choice.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Monday, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, dismissed criticisms trailing Wike’s open support for APC candidates in the polls.
“If Nyesom Wike wants to go on campaigning for any candidate in any party whatsoever, he has the inherent liberty to do so.
“Wike is a citizen of the Federal Capital Republic of Nigeria who also has freedom guaranteed by the constitution.
“He has the right to support any candidate he wants,” Morka said.
Wike’s role in the elections has drawn attention following the APC’s victory in five of the six area councils in the FCT.
The controversy deepened after two Peoples Democratic Party chairmanship candidates, Julius Adamu in Bwari and Zadna Dantani in Abuja Municipal Area Council, stepped down from the race and publicly backed their APC opponents. Their withdrawals were said to have followed interventions by the FCT minister.
Reacting, the PDP National Working Committee described the development as “shameful” and “anti-democratic,” alleging that the withdrawals were induced without the party’s approval and amounted to a “forced consensus.”
Wike’s support for APC candidates has since triggered debate over party loyalty and the limits of political alignment within Nigeria’s multi-party system.
However, Morka maintained that the minister’s actions were rooted in his fundamental rights as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution and not part of any coordinated APC agenda.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu commended Wike for his role in the APC’s performance in the FCT elections and the recent by-elections in Rivers State.
