Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has questioned Peter Obi’s humility, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), over his visits to internally displaced persons (IDP) camps across the country.
Wike accused politicians of using public displays of compassion to win voters’ support ahead of the 2027 general election, urging Nigerians not to be deceived by what he described as political gimmicks.
He spoke on Thursday at the first Idoma Hall of Fame induction ceremony, held in collaboration with Ochetoha K’Idoma as part of the Idoma Centenary Plus celebration in Abuja.
Speaking on the theme, ‘People, Politics and Power in Nigeria: The Agitation for Equity, Fairness and Justice’, the minister warned Nigerians against politicians he described as “gamblers” seeking public office.
Taking an apparent swipe at Obi, Wike questioned why the former Anambra State governor did not celebrate his birthday at an IDP camp while in office but had visited such camps while seeking the presidency.
“Politicians can tell lies. Yes. 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?” he asked.
In July 2023, Obi said he marked his 62nd birthday with a visit to Bungha Pilot School in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, which he described as the state’s biggest IDP camp at the time.
In September this year, the NDC presidential candidate said he had visited 12 IDP camps across Nigeria in recent weeks.
He also shared photographs of himself interacting with children at the Ramin Kura IDP camp in Sokoto State, describing it as his 12th visit.
During the visits, Obi called on the government to improve conditions in the camps.
He also urged President Bola Tinubu and other political office holders to spend their holidays in Nigeria to see firsthand the difficulties faced by vulnerable citizens.
Wike also criticised politicians who suddenly begin buying corn and groundnuts in public or visiting filling stations to comment on petrol prices when seeking political office.
Although he did not mention any name, his remarks appeared to target former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, the vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who was seen eating corn and interacting with supporters in a video circulated in February during the party’s campaign ahead of the last FCT council election.
“You see a man who has never bought corn on the road suddenly buying corn and groundnuts in public. Who are you deceiving?” Wike asked.
The minister defended the Federal Government’s handling of Nigeria’s economic and security challenges, arguing that the administration’s performance should be assessed against the situation before it took office.
“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? So, I will take this opportunity to let you know: don’t listen to gamblers,” he said.
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