Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has questioned Peter Obi’s perceived humility following the former Anambra governor’s visits to internally displaced persons (IDP) camps across Nigeria.
Wike made the remarks on Thursday at 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 to be cautious of politicians he described as “gamblers” ahead of the 2027 general election.
In a post on X on July 19, 2023, Obi said he marked his 62nd birthday by visiting Bungha Pilot School in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, which he described as the state’s largest IDP camp at the time.
In another post dated September 30, 2026, Obi, now the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, said he had visited 12 IDP camps across the country in recent weeks.
The former Anambra governor also shared photographs of himself interacting and playing with children during a visit to the Ramin Kura IDP camp in Sokoto, which he identified as his 12th visit to an IDP camp.
While calling on the government to improve conditions in the camps, Obi urged the president and other political office holders to spend their holidays in Nigeria to witness the challenges faced daily by vulnerable citizens.
‘Politicians can tell lies’
In an apparent reference to Obi, Wike questioned why a politician who did not celebrate his birthday at an IDP camp while serving as governor would choose to do so while pursuing 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.
Wike also criticised politicians who, according to him, suddenly begin buying corn and groundnuts in public or visiting filling stations to comment on fuel prices when seeking political office.
A video circulated on February 15 showing Rotimi Amaechi, former minister of transportation and African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, eating corn and interacting with supporters during the party’s campaign ahead of the last FCT council election.
In an apparent reference to Amaechi, Wike described such gestures as attempts to appeal to the public, urging Nigerians not to be swayed by politicians’ public displays of humility.
“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 defended the current administration’s efforts to tackle Nigeria’s economic and security challenges, urging citizens to compare the present situation with conditions under 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.