POLITICIANS LIE ALOT, DON'T BE DECEIVED BY THEIR FAKE HUMILITY - FCT MINISTER WIKE

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi over their political ambitions.

Wike made the remarks during his induction into the Idoma Hall of Fame, on Thursday in Abuja where he criticised politicians who, according to him, portray themselves as humble and identify with ordinary Nigerians for political gain.

“You know politicians can tell lies. Yes! A man who, as a governor, never celebrated his birthday in IDP camps, now wants to do it there because he wants to be president. And you’ll say he’s humble. Which humility is that?” he said.

He also questioned politicians who buy roadside corn and groundnuts to portray themselves as people who relate with the poor.

“You see a man who has never eaten corn by the roadside. He goes, buys corn and groundnuts, and says he relates with poor people. Who are you deceiving? You were a governor and you didn’t buy corn on the road. Now you want to be president. When they vote for you, will you still go and buy corn on the road? Who are you deceiving?” Wike asked.

Speaking about politicians who visit filling stations to complain about fuel prices, he said: “You enter your car and go to a filling station and say, ‘Oh, look at the cost of fuel.’ Do you need to go there before you know the cost? And then some of you will say, ‘Oh, these are the type of people we want, very humble, you see the way he drove himself.’ Haaa, Nigeria, Nigeria!”

He added: “Instead of you to say the factual things, you begin to allow them to play you games and tell you all kind of stories.”

Wike concluded with a warning to Nigerians, saying: “I will use this opportunity to tell you and let you know, don’t listen to gamblers.”