• Fubara reaffirms APC membership
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, yesterday, dismissed criticisms trailing his recent visit to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), NentaweYilwatda, insisting that he does not subscribe to what he described as “politics of enmity”.

Speaking with journalists during an inspection of ongoing road projects across the FCT, Wike said his interaction with the APC chairman was a personal and professional engagement that should not attract political controversy.

The minister said that individuals are free to associate across party lines, stressing that political affiliation should not translate into hostility among public office holders.

“That is their business. Whatever they think is their business, it’s their headache,” Wike said while reacting to public speculations over the visit.

“When the former chairman of the Labour Party (LP) visited me in my house, what were they thinking? I don’t play politics of enmity. I don’t do that,” he stated.

Wike explained that Yilwatda had made several unsuccessful attempts to meet him officially before he eventually decided to visit the APC chairman at his residence. According to him, the meeting should not be interpreted beyond the scope of normal human and political relationships.

“The National Chairman of APC was trying to see me several times, but couldn’t see me. I thendecided to see him in his house,” he stated.

The minister also dismissed suggestions that he owed the public details of the engagement, arguing that private interactions should not be politicised.

“Did I go there for any meeting? Why would I tell you about my private life? If I come to visit you to have a drink with you, should I tell the whole world that I’m going there to have a drink with you?” he asked.

He further faulted the notion that politicians from rival parties must avoid one another in public. Wike recalled that both he and Yilwatda had previously served together in government before the latter emerged as the APC national chairman.

MEANWHILE, Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, yesterday, dismissed speculations that he had defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) amid ongoing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Fubara said reports circulating in sections of the media suggesting that he had abandoned the ruling party were false, insisting that he remained committed to the APC and its overall interest.

Reports emerged at the weekend alleging that the APC screening committee rejected Fubara during a screening exercise for the party’s serving governors and that the governor subsequently left the venue angrily without addressing journalists.

Reacting to the reports, Fubara said: “I know that there has been a lot of drama in the media; one story or another. I am a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and nothing has changed. People should stop using whatever situation they pick up from social media or their own interpretation of events to misrepresent me.

“I have not gone anywhere. I am still a member of the APC, and I remain committed to the party. Whatever happens, what is important is supporting the overall interest of the party.”

The governor spoke during an inspection tour of the newly constructed General Hospital and the remodelled Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Rumuigbo, Obio/Akpor Local Council Area of Rivers State.