Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has questioned Peter Obi’s perceived humility, criticising the former Anambra State governor over his repeated visits to internally displaced persons (IDP) camps across Nigeria.
Wike made the remarks on Thursday during the first Idoma Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Abuja, held as part of the Idoma Centenary Plus celebration.
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” ahead of the 2027 general election.
His comments appeared to target Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), who has recently highlighted his visits to IDP camps and called for better living conditions for displaced Nigerians.
In a post shared on September 30, 2026, Obi disclosed that he had visited 12 IDP camps across the country in recent weeks. He also shared pictures from his visit to the Ramin Kura IDP camp in Sokoto State, describing it as his 12th visit to such a camp.
Obi has also called on President Bola Tinubu and other political office holders to spend their holidays in Nigeria so they can witness the difficulties faced by vulnerable citizens firsthand.
However, Wike questioned the sincerity behind such visits, arguing that politicians sometimes adopt public displays of humility when seeking higher political office.
“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.
Obi had previously 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.
Wike also criticised politicians who suddenly engage in activities such as buying roasted corn and groundnuts in public or visiting filling stations to comment on fuel prices as elections approach.
Although he did not mention former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi by name, his remarks appeared to reference a video that circulated in February showing Amaechi eating corn and interacting with supporters during campaigning ahead of the 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 FCT minister further defended the current administration’s efforts to address Nigeria’s economic and security challenges, urging citizens to consider whether progress was being made compared with previous years.
“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, while warning Nigerians not to be swayed by politicians he described as “gamblers.”
His comments add to the political exchanges ahead of the 2027 elections, as public figures increasingly debate the intentions, records and campaign strategies of potential presidential contenders.
