‘What kind of humility is that?’ – Wike questions Obi over frequent IDP camp visits

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has questioned the humility often associated with former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his repeated visits to internally displaced persons (IDP) camps across the country.

Wike made the remarks on Thursday during the first Idoma Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Abuja.

The event was organised in collaboration with Ochetoha K’Idoma as part of activities marking the Idoma Centenary Plus celebration.

The FCT minister’s comments focused on Obi’s visits to IDP camps, which have been part of his public engagements with displaced persons in different parts of the country.

Speaking on the theme, ‘People, Politics and Power in Nigeria: The Agitation for Equity, Fairness and Justice,’ the minister urged Nigerians to be wary of politicians he described as “gamblers” ahead of the 2027 elections.

In a post on X on July 19, 2023, Obi said he marked his 62nd birthday with a visit to Bungha Pilot School in Mangu LGA, Plateau state, which he described as the state’s biggest IDP camp at the time.

In another post on September 30, 2026, Obi, who is now the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, said he had visited 12 IDP camps across Nigeria in recent weeks.

The former Anambra governor also shared pictures of himself interacting and playing with children during a visit to the Ramin Kura IDP camp in Sokoto, which he described as his 12th IDP camp visit.

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 in order to see firsthand the difficulties vulnerable citizens grapple with daily.

‘POLITICIANS CAN TELL LIES’

In an apparent reference to Obi, Wike questioned why a politician who did not celebrate his birthday in an IDP camp while serving as governor would want to do so 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.

Wike also criticised politicians who, according to him, suddenly start buying corn and groundnuts in public and visiting filling stations to comment on fuel prices as they seek political office.

In a video that circulated on February 15, Rotimi Amaechi, a former minister of transportation and vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), was seen eating corn and interacting with supporters during the party’s campaign ahead of the last FCT council election.

In an apparent dig at Amaechi, Wike said such actions amount to playing to the gallery, adding that Nigerians should not 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 defended the current administration’s efforts to address the country’s economic and security challenges, urging Nigerians to compare the current situation with what obtained previously.

“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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