Abuja, Nigeria – The All Progressives Congress (APC) has publicly defended Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, insisting he has the constitutional right to campaign for any political candidate, regardless of party affiliation.
The defence follows controversy surrounding Wike’s visible support for APC candidates during the February 21 FCT Area Council elections — polls that saw the ruling party secure five of the six councils.
“He Has the Right,” Says APC Spokesman
Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka dismissed criticism of Wike’s involvement, framing it as a matter of constitutional freedom rather than political defection.
“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 Republic of Nigeria who also has freedom guaranteed by the constitution. He has the right to support any candidate he wants.”
Morka maintained that Wike’s actions were a lawful exercise of individual political rights under the 1999 Constitution.
PDP Candidates Withdraw, Endorse APC Rivals
The controversy deepened after two Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship candidates — Julius Adamu in Bwari and Zadna Dantani in the Abuja Municipal Area Council — withdrew from the race and publicly endorsed APC contenders.
The PDP National Working Committee condemned the move, describing it as “shameful” and “anti-democratic.” The party alleged the withdrawals were induced without its consent and amounted to a “forced consensus.”
The developments have intensified debate over party loyalty, cross-party endorsements and the boundaries of political allegiance in Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.
Tinubu Commends Wike
President Bola Tinubu on Sunday praised Wike’s role in the APC’s victories in both the FCT elections and the recent by-elections in Rivers State, further fueling political conversations about Wike’s positioning within Nigeria’s evolving power dynamics.
While critics question the optics of a former PDP governor openly backing APC candidates, the ruling party insists the matter is one of constitutional rights — not political manipulation.
