Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has fired back at critics questioning why his sons accompany him on both local and foreign official trips, insisting that he has the constitutional right to travel with anyone including his family.
Speaking on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ on Monday night, Wike said there was no law prohibiting his sons from joining him on official assignments, describing the public criticism as baseless and misplaced.
“What law says, that my sons shouldn’t travel? Let the FCT say where they paid ₦1,” he said.
“What official matter? Did they sign any document? It doesn’t need to be a personal trip. What’s wrong? I can travel with anybody from the FCT. I can travel with anybody in Nigeria. I have that right.”
The former Rivers State governor explained that his sons, both master’s degree holders, accompany him for exposure and to better understand governance and leadership.
“Oh, come on, they have to know how Nigeria is. They have to learn about government,” Wike stated.
When asked if he was grooming them to follow in his political footsteps, the FCT Minister dismissed the suggestion, saying his children have chosen different career paths.
“No, that’s not correct. My first son is a lawyer. He said, ‘No, I’m not going to practise. I want to be a farmer.’ I said, ‘What do you mean by this?’ He said, ‘No, this is what I want to do.’ I said, ‘Okay’. They’ve gone for training in Spain and Lisbon,” he said.
“My second son finished from King’s College, a master’s degree in Economics. He said he wants to be in real estate.”
Wike added that he was grateful for his children’s discipline and the peace they bring to his life.
“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 quipped.
LEADERSHIP reports that the minister has in recent weeks faced social media backlash after photos surfaced of his sons accompanying him to official functions, including the recent World Urban Forum in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
