Sekinat Osundiji
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has questioned the sincerity of Peter Obi’s visits to internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, suggesting that politicians may use displays of compassion to win public support ahead of the 2027 elections.
Wike made the remarks on Thursday at the first Idoma Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Abuja, organised in collaboration with Ochetoha K’Idoma as part of the Idoma Centenary Plus celebration.
The minister challenged the perception of Obi as a humble politician, citing the former Anambra governor’s visits to IDP camps, including one he made to mark his 62nd birthday in Plateau State in 2023.
“Politicians can tell lies,” Wike said. “A man who did not celebrate his birthday when he was a governor now wants to be president and wants to celebrate his birthday in IDP camps? And you say, ‘Oh, he is very humble’. Which humility is that?”
Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), recently said he had visited 12 IDP camps across the country in recent weeks.
During a visit to the Ramin Kura IDP camp in Sokoto State, he shared pictures of himself interacting with children and described it as his 12th visit.
The former governor also called on the government to improve conditions in the camps and urged political office holders to spend their holidays in Nigeria to experience the hardships faced by vulnerable citizens.
Wike, however, warned Nigerians against being swayed by politicians who adopt public displays of modesty while seeking political office.
He cited politicians who suddenly buy roasted corn and groundnuts in public or visit filling stations to comment on fuel prices, describing such gestures as attempts to appeal to voters.
“You see a man who has never bought corn on the road suddenly buying corn and groundnuts in public. Who are you deceiving?” he asked.
The FCT minister also urged Nigerians to assess the current administration’s performanceagainst the conditions that prevailed before it took office.
Acknowledging the country’s economic and security challenges, Wike said the government’s efforts to address them should be considered before voters make political choices.
“Nobody is happy that we are where we are. But if we are to trace our steps back to where we are coming from, are there attempts to improve the situation?” he said.
He urged Nigerians to ignore politicians he described as “gamblers” as the country approaches the 2027 general election.
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