By Franklin Adole
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Monday denied allegations linking him to the controversy surrounding the screening of aspirants by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, insisting that he has no role in the affairs of the ruling party despite growing political realignments in the state ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking during an inspection of ongoing infrastructure projects in Abuja, Wike said he could not comment on the APC screening process because he remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). “I am not a member of the APC, so I don’t know what is happening in their screening. Even if they publish the results, why would I comment? I don’t know the reasons they have,” he told journalists. The former Rivers governor added, “What pertains to me is what I will talk about, not what does not concern me. I’m not a native doctor, neither am I a prophet.”
Wike, however, hinted at continuing political collaborations across party lines in Rivers State, saying the emerging “rainbow coalition” in the state would adopt a pragmatic approach ahead of future elections. “That is the essence of the rainbow coalition in Rivers State. We will look at where we have strength, compare notes and vote accordingly,” he said.
Meanwhile, APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, warned aspirants seeking elective positions on the party’s platform to conduct themselves peacefully and responsibly during the forthcoming primaries or face severe disciplinary sanctions. In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, Yilwatda cautioned against violence, anti-party activities and attempts to undermine the integrity of the exercise.
“The leadership of the party would not tolerate any act capable of disrupting the smooth conduct of the primaries,” Yilwatda said, warning that any aspirant or supporter caught instigating unrest or engaging in misconduct could face immediate suspension from the party. He urged contestants to embrace the outcome of the primaries in the spirit of sportsmanship, stressing that the APC would not allow personal ambitions to override party unity and national stability.
The APC chairman also praised President Bola Tinubu’s administration for what he described as major achievements in infrastructure, rail expansion, energy reforms, agriculture, healthcare and youth empowerment. He said the ongoing projects under the Renewed Hope agenda were laying the foundation for economic growth and national development, while reaffirming the party’s commitment to fairness, inclusiveness and internal cohesion ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle.