Saturday, June 13, 2026

The Sun Nigeria

Wike free to join APC, but not pressured — Yilwatda

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National Chairman, Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda

By Lawrence Agbo

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has stated that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is free to join the ruling party but the APC will not pressure him to do so.

Speaking during a media chat on Wednesday night, Yilwatda stressed that membership of the APC is voluntary and the party does not compel individuals to join its fold.

“If he wants to join the APC, he is free to do so. We don’t compel people to join APC. People willingly join APC,” he said.

He also dismissed suggestions that political appointments under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are linked to party membership. Yilwatda noted that several individuals who had previously criticised the president are currently serving in government.

“There’s nowhere you will see that there was an agreement with us that you must join APC before you serve in our government,” he said.

“People that insulted Mr President, he appointed them. They are in our government. He didn’t ask them to join the APC.”

Yilwatda described the president’s approach to leadership as open, adding that critics have been embraced rather than excluded.

“Those that insulted him, he welcomed them in broad daylight,” he added.