“Wike has the right to support any candidate he wants” — APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has defended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, stating that he is constitutionally entitled to campaign for any candidate of his choice, regardless of party affiliation.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Monday, APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, addressed criticism surrounding Wike’s involvement in the February 21 FCT Area Council elections.

“If Nyesom Wike wants to go on campaigning for any candidate in any party whatsoever, he has the inherent liberty to do so,” Morka said.

“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.”

Wike’s role in the polls attracted attention after the APC won five of the six area councils in the FCT.

Ahead of the elections, two chairmanship candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) — Julius Adamu in Bwari and Zadna Dantani in Abuja Municipal Area Council — withdrew from the race and endorsed APC candidates following Wike’s intervention.

The PDP National Working Committee described the withdrawals as “shameful” and “anti-democratic,” alleging that they were induced without the party’s consent and amounted to a “forced consensus.”

Wike’s support for APC candidates has intensified discussions about party loyalty and cross-party campaigning within Nigeria’s political landscape.

Morka maintained that the minister’s actions reflected his constitutional rights and were not part of an orchestrated APC plan.

President Bola Tinubu also commended Wike’s role in the APC’s victories in the FCT elections and recent by-elections in Rivers State.