Nigerians kick as Wike attends Dubai summit with two sons

Wike with sons at the event in Dubai

Backlash has trailed the decision of Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), to attend the 2025 Asia Pacific Cities summit and Mayors’ forum in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), with his two sons.

The summit, which started on Monday, is expected to end today.

The summit is an initiative of Brisbane City Council, Australia, designed to create an “unmatched platform to share and propel government and business relations and showcase the capabilities of cities to the world”.

The FCT minister left Abuja, the nation’s capital, and arrived in Dubai on Monday.

Wike was accompanied to the summit by Richard Dauda, acting executive secretary of the federal capital development authority (FCDA); Benedict Daudu, senior special assistant to the minister on legal and multilateral cooperation; Mukhtar Galadima, director of the department of development and control; Chuks Udeh, director of engineering services; and Sani Daura, director of protocol.

The minister’s two sons — Joaquin and Jordan — are also part of his entourage.

During the summit, Wike was among the panellists who spoke on a topic: “From data-rich to data-smart: Unlocking urban intelligence for the next generation of cities”.

On Tuesday, Lere Olayinka, Wike’s media aide, who is also attending the event, published pictures showing the FCT minister being accompanied by his two sons at the event.

“When e reach your turn, carry your enemies travel. Hissssssssssssh,” Olayinka captions the pictures.