Yilwatda made the statement on Wednesday during a media chat in Abuja, stressing that membership of the APC is voluntary and not forced on anyone.

According to him, Wike remains at liberty to decide his political future, and there is no obligation for appointees to formally join the ruling party before serving in government.

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

He added that cross-party appointments are not new in Nigeria’s political history, noting that past administrations also appointed members of opposition parties into key positions.

Yilwatda cited examples such as Bala Mohammed and Adamu Aliero, who served as ministers under PDP governments despite being affiliated with other parties at the time.

He questioned the criticism directed at President Bola Tinubu over Wike’s appointment, arguing that similar decisions were taken by previous administrations without controversy.

The APC chairman also pointed to other non-APC members serving in the current government, saying Wike should not be singled out.

He further stated that Wike obtained approval from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before accepting the ministerial appointment in 2023.

Yilwatda maintained that President Tinubu has continued to demonstrate openness by appointing individuals across party lines based on competence.

Yilwatda made the statement on Wednesday during a media chat in Abuja, while addressing questions about Wike’s continued membership of the PDP despite serving in an APC-led government.

He explained that the appointment was not unusual, noting that past administrations had also appointed opposition members into ministerial positions.

According to him, former ministers such as Bala Mohammed and Adamu Aliero served under PDP-led governments despite their party affiliations at the time.

“President Jonathan discovered Bala Mohammed was good enough and brought him from ANPP,” he said.

“Aliero was also appointed by President Yar’Adua from ANPP because of his experience,” he added.

Yilwatda argued that criticism of President Tinubu over Wike’s appointment was unfair, insisting it followed past political precedents.

He also cited other opposition figures currently serving in the government, saying the focus on Wike alone was selective.

The APC chairman further claimed that Wike formally notified the PDP National Working Committee in 2023 before accepting the ministerial appointment, and that the party gave its approval.

“Wike wrote the National Working Committee of the PDP before he took the appointment,” he said.

“The National Working Committee approved that he should come and serve.”

Yilwatda maintained that Wike’s position in the current administration was with the consent of the PDP, not solely the APC.