Outrage as Wike Attends Dubai Summit with His Sons — Nigerians Call It ‘Family Governance’

Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), is facing public backlash after attending the 2025 Asia Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors’ Forum in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), with his two sons.

The summit, organised by the Brisbane City Council in Australia, is designed to promote collaboration between governments and businesses while showcasing innovative urban development strategies. It began on Monday and is expected to conclude today.

Wike left Abuja earlier in the week with a delegation from the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), including Richard Dauda, Acting Executive Secretary; Benedict Daudu, Senior Special Assistant on Legal and Multilateral Cooperation; Mukhtar Galadima, Director of Development Control; Chuks Udeh, Director of Engineering Services; and Sani Daura, Director of Protocol.

The presence of Wike’s sons, Joaquin and Jordan, as part of the minister’s entourage drew criticism from Nigerians who accused him of using public funds to sponsor his children on an official trip.

During the summit, Wike participated as a panellist in a session titled “From Data-Rich to Data-Smart: Unlocking Urban Intelligence for the Next Generation of Cities.” The controversy intensified after Lere Olayinka, Wike’s media aide, posted photos of the minister and his sons at the event on social media, accompanied by the caption, “When e reach your turn, carry your enemies travel. Hissssssssssssh.”

The post triggered widespread anger, with many Nigerians describing the act as another example of how public office is increasingly becoming a family affair. On X (formerly Twitter), several users accused the minister of promoting “family governance” and eroding public trust in government institutions.

One user, @Mimi_yakigar, wrote: “There is nothing normal about public office gradually becoming a family affair. When state functions begin to feature children of political office holders in unofficial capacities, it signals a worrying shift in our governance.”

Activist Aisha Yesufu also weighed in, saying, “Wike is doing what Tinubu started.” Another user, @AnotherAnowa, lamented: “New tax laws increase my taxes so that Wike can use the funds to fly his children to pointless engagements abroad that they even have no business attending.”

This is not the first time Wike’s family has been at the centre of public controversy. In July 2025, the FCT minister denied allegations that he allocated hectares of land in Maitama and Asokoro to his sons.

As of the time of filing this report, neither Wike nor the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has issued an official statement on the matter. Many Nigerians, however, see the incident as a reflection of the growing culture of entitlement and lack of accountability within the country’s political class.