The All-Progressives Congress has stated that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has the constitutional right to campaign for any political candidate regardless of party affiliation following the February 21 Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory.
The statement by the APC came amid public attention on Wike’s role in the recently concluded Area Council polls in Abuja. The elections covered six councils in the Federal Capital Territory, with results showing the APC won five of the six chairmanship seats.
APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief. He said that Wike’s actions fall within the constitutional freedoms guaranteed to every Nigerian.
Morka was quoted saying, “If Nyesom Wike wants to go on campaigning for any candidate in any party whatsoever, he has the inherent liberty to do so.”
He added, “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.”
The APC’s defence of Wike’s conduct was framed in terms of the minister’s rights as an individual citizen under the 1999 Constitution.
The remarks followed instances during the FCT Area Council elections where candidates from the Peoples Democratic Party, including Julius Adamu in Bwari and Zadna Dantani in Abuja Municipal Area Council, withdrew and endorsed rival candidates from the APC.
The People’s Democratic Party National Working Committee had described those withdrawals as “shameful” and “anti-democratic”, asserting they were made without the party’s consent and amounted to a “forced consensus”.
President Bola Tinubu also acknowledged Wike’s involvement in the recently concluded elections, commending the minister for his role in the APC’s performance in the FCT and in concurrent by-elections in Rivers State.
The APC’s position affirms its perspective on individual political activity by public officials beyond party boundaries. The focus on constitutional freedoms highlights legal protections for citizens’ participation in political activities.
The differing responses from political parties following the FCT Area Council elections reflect ongoing debates about party loyalty and electoral conduct.
