The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has responded to Nigerians who criticized him for flying to the United Arabic Emirates for an official assignment with his sons.
Last week, Wike attended the 2025 Asia Pacific Cities Summit and Mayor’s Forum in Dubai with a Nigerian delegation including his two sons, Jordan and Joaquin.
Some Nigerians who saw the photos of the Minister’s sons with other members of the Nigerian delegation at the conference, felt it was inappropriate and k!ck3d against it. Wike was on Channels TV last night where he was asked why he flew with his children for an official assignment.
He defended his decision to allow his sons accompany him on both local and international trips, insisting that he has every right to do so.
“What law says that my sons shouldn’t travel? Let the FCT say where they paid N1. What official matter? Did they sign any document? It doesn’t need to be a personal trip. What’s wrong? So, I can travel with anybody from the FCT. I can travel with anybody in Nigeria. I have that right. Oh, come on, they have to know how Nigeria is. They have to learn about government,” Wike said.
When asked if he was grooming his sons to become politicians, the Minister dismissed the claim, explaining that they had chosen their own career paths.
“No, that’s not correct. My first son is a lawyer. No, I’m not going to practise’ he said ‘I want to be a farmer.’ What do you mean by this? He said, ‘No, this is what I want to do.’ I said, ‘Okay’. What do you do? They’ve gone for training in Spain. They’ve gone for training in Lisbon.
My second son finished from King’s College — a master’s degree in Economics. He said he wants to be in real estate.”
The former Rivers State governor also expressed pride in his sons, describing them as well-behaved and responsible.
“I’m so happy that I have children who have given me comfort, who have not given me problems. Assuming they were somewhere smoking. You would have said, ‘Oh, look at these children now. Who are they? I will not travel with my enemy’s children,” he added
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