The All Progressives Congress (APC) has defended the Federal Capital Territory minister, Nyesom Wike, saying he is constitutionally entitled to campaign for any political candidate, regardless of party affiliation.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Monday, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka addressed criticism of Wike’s support for 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 scrutiny of Wike’s role in the polls, where the APC secured five of the six area councils.
Two candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party — Julius Adamu in Bwari and Zadna Dantani in Abuja Municipal Area Council — withdrew from their races and publicly backed APC candidates after Wike’s intervention.
The PDP National Working Committee condemned the withdrawals as “shameful” and “anti-democratic,” alleging they were induced without the party’s consent and amounted to a “forced consensus.”
Wike’s open endorsement of APC candidates has intensified debate over party loyalty, cross-party alliances, and political alignment within Nigeria’s multi-party system. However, Morka maintained the minister’s actions reflect fundamental rights guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution, not a coordinated APC strategy.
President Bola Tinubu also praised Wike’s role in the APC’s victories in the FCT elections and recent by-elections in Rivers State.
