₦airaland Forum

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has come under heavy criticism for attending the 2025 Asia Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors’ Forum in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, with his two sons.

The development has triggered widespread outrage among Nigerians who accused the minister of using public resources to sponsor what they described as a “family vacation” under the guise of an official engagement.

Images from the summit showed Wike’s sons wearing delegate tags and sitting alongside the minister during some sessions.

The event, which attracted city leaders, mayors, and policymakers from across the world, was aimed at promoting global partnerships on urban development and sustainability.

While many officials praised the participation of Nigeria at the meeting, public reaction turned sour after Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, posted a photo of the minister and his children on X with the caption, “When e reach your turn, carry your enemies travel.”

The statement immediately went viral, prompting a torrent of angry reactions from Nigerians who felt mocked by what they considered a display of arrogance and disregard for public accountability.

On Wednesday afternoon, the post had already generated 454,000 views, 130 reposts, 286 quotes, 914 likes and 91 bookmarks.

Several users on social media questioned the justification for including the minister’s children in an official delegation, insisting that such slots should be reserved for qualified public servants or professionals within the FCT Administration.

Posting under the name, magaflexing, a user, wrote, “This is exactly one of the mindset that has kept Africa backward. There should be nothing like friend or enemy in governance. It should be about the interest of the people and the best that can deliver should be the ones put in position”.

One X user, @iOccupyNigeria, wrote, “Wike no be governor, no be mayor. He be Minister of FCT, yet he carry him children go Dubai as delegates. Na public money dem use fly go. Who born that kind impunity?”

Another user, @BigOnukwugha, argued that the practice undermines Nigeria’s bureaucracy and professionalism.

“When a minister replaces career civil servants with family members on international trips, it weakens institutional growth and continuity,” he said.

Others linked the incident to a pattern of entitlement and nepotism among political elites.

“You are watching your resources being spent on father and sons who will later rule over you. And you still clap for them,” @Real_me_Abdul posted.

The outrage spread across platforms such as X and Facebook, with many accusing Wike of turning governance into a personal enterprise.

Some compared the situation to what they described as “dynastic politics” in parts of Nigeria where political leaders are grooming their children for public office.

Adding fuel to the fire, Isaac Fayose, brother of former Ekiti State governor Ayodele Fayose, had previously questioned the minister’s conduct in a Facebook post.

“What is Wike’s son doing in a meeting of the directors of the Ministry of Aviation and the FCT?” he asked, in a post that quickly gained traction online.

Despite the mounting criticism, neither Wike nor the Federal Capital Territory Administration has issued an official statement on the matter.

As public outrage persists, many Nigerians are calling on anti-corruption agencies and the National Assembly to investigate the circumstances surrounding the trip and determine whether it violated public service regulations.

Xcel28:
This is Nigeria

geoworldedu:
Under fire as how? Even Yahaya Bello who stole

Baxilexi:
I’m not a Wike a fan but he’s within his illegal rights to abuse his office.

After all there’s an office of the son of the president,
Daughter of the president, and now defacto junior FCT minister positions for the son of the minister.

Nigerians will learn the value of norms/laws/regulations when we decide to build our civilization. This is the glue of western civilization. Jonathan started this impunity by housing Edwin Clark at aso rock, then followed Buhari, who housed his whole village there, to the point shots were fired and Aisha was the local champion. Tinubu who has a penchant for abuse of power, has taken it to new heights. Son is the defacto chief or staff, international attaché, liaison, ambassador, diplomat, sergeant at arms, etc
His wife, defacto minister for humanitarian affairs, aso-rock farmer/cook, quasi-nongovernmental organization philanthropist, campaign manager etc.

Where are our legislators? Judiciary?

anonimi:
Are they not working for the cabals in Oshiomhole’s Assembly of Past Criminals, APC



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg_1mly5Gm8

oshkoach:
I weep for my country called Nigeria.
A country where the current administration impoverish the people by total cuts on all forms of subsidy in other to use the accrued funds to sustain government flamboyant and oppressive lifestyle.
Yet in 2027 fouls will line up to vote APC.
I can never sing praises for those who impoverish me and oppress me. God forbid

Kukutente23:
He intentionally started the "fire"
First thing is, he knows nothing will come out of it
Second is he knew some will defend this while others will be against which will lead to hours of engagement on his page
Third is he'll have something to show his boss to have a good laugh over
So if you're going there to vent or praise, just know you're among the mugu that caught the bait cause your comments are meaningless to them

Baxilexi:
Is it a rage bait? Yes! But silence implies consent. So we would condemn his actions, and let the world know that Nigerians are all not complacent.

Some of us will never succumb to defeatism. Nigeria will work someday, and all those who stand for justice and democracy will be the gatekeepers.

dre11:
https://dailytrust.com/wike-under-fire-for-flying-sons-abroad-on-official-trip/?noamp=available

AntiChristian:
Wicked Wike!

He just dey press neck dey step on toes!