The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticised politicians who publicly display acts of humility and compassion while seeking political office, questioning the sincerity of their actions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Wike made the remarks on Thursday during the first Idoma Hall of Fame induction ceremony, organised 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 urged Nigerians not to be deceived by politicians he described as “gamblers.”
Although he did not initially mention Peter Obi by name, Wike’s comments appeared to target the former Anambra State governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), who has recently visited several internally displaced persons (IDP) camps across the country.
Obi, in a post on September 30, 2026, disclosed that he had visited 12 IDP camps 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 visit, Obi called on the Federal Government to improve conditions in IDP camps and urged political leaders to spend their holidays in Nigeria to better understand the hardships faced by vulnerable citizens.
The former governor had also marked his 62nd birthday in July 2023 with a visit to Bungha Pilot School in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, which he described at the time as the state’s largest IDP camp.
Reacting to the visits, Wike questioned why a politician who did not celebrate his birthday in an IDP camp while serving as governor would begin doing so while aspiring to become president.
“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?” Wike asked.
The FCT minister also criticised politicians who, according to him, suddenly adopt ordinary people’s habits when seeking public office.
He cited the practice of politicians buying corn and groundnuts by the roadside or visiting filling stations to comment on fuel prices, suggesting that such public appearances were intended to win sympathy and attract voters.
Wike’s remarks also appeared to reference Rotimi Amaechi, a former Minister of Transportation and vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who was seen in a video circulating on February 15 eating corn and interacting with supporters 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?” he asked.
Beyond his criticism of opposition politicians, Wike defended the current administration’s efforts to tackle Nigeria’s economic and security challenges.
He acknowledged that Nigerians were dissatisfied with the country’s present condition but urged them to consider whether efforts were being made to improve the situation compared with previous administrations.
“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.
