The All Progressives Congress (APC) has backed Nyesom Wike.
Speaking on Channels Television Morning Brief on Monday, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka addressed criticism over Wike’s endorsement of APC candidates 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. 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.
The remarks follow Wike’s involvement in elections that saw the APC win five of six area councils. Two Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship candidates Julius Adamu in Bwari and Zadna Dantani in Abuja Municipal Area Council withdrew and publicly endorsed APC rivals after interventions by Wike.
The PDP National Working Committee described the withdrawals as “shameful” and “anti-democratic,” alleging they were done without party consent, constituting a “forced consensus.”
Wike’s open backing of APC candidates has fueled discussions on party loyalty, cross-carpeting, and political freedoms in Nigeria’s multi-party system. Morka emphasized that the minister’s actions reflect his constitutional rights under the 1999 Constitution, not an APC-directed strategy.
President Bola Tinubu also commended Wike for his role in the APC’s successes in the FCT elections and recent Rivers State by-elections, acknowledging the minister’s influence in the party’s victories.
ELIJAH ADEYEMI
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