The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has accused politicians of deceiving Nigerians through campaign tactics designed to make them appear humble and sympathetic to the struggles of ordinary citizens.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

reports that Wike made the remarks on Thursday during his induction into the Idoma Hall of Fame in Abuja.

The minister criticised politicians who, according to him, engage in activities such as purchasing corn and groundnuts from roadside sellers, visiting filling stations to comment on petrol prices, and celebrating their birthdays at camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) to gain public sympathy.

Wike argued that such gestures were often calculated moves aimed at winning the support of voters ahead of elections rather than genuine expressions of concern for ordinary Nigerians.

Speaking at the event, he questioned the sincerity of politicians who suddenly adopted these public displays of humility after deciding to seek higher political office.

“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?” Wike said.

He also criticised politicians who purchase roadside snacks in public to portray themselves as people who identify with the less privileged.

According to the FCT minister, some politicians who never engaged in such activities while holding public office suddenly begin doing so when they aspire to become president.

He questioned whether such individuals would maintain the same behaviour after securing electoral victory.

Wike further expressed doubts about politicians who visit filling stations to publicly complain about the rising cost of petrol, arguing that they do not need to make such visits to understand the financial burden fuel prices place on Nigerians.

He noted that some members of the public interpret these gestures as signs of humility, particularly when politicians drive themselves or interact with ordinary citizens without the usual trappings of power.

However, Wike maintained that Nigerians should look beyond such public displays and carefully assess the intentions behind politicians’ actions, especially as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.

The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has said the party would consider lowering petrol prices and potentially reinstating fuel subsidies if it wins the 2027 presidential election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Kwankwaso made this known on Thursday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he described the cost of energy in Nigeria as excessively high and stressed the need to make it more affordable for citizens.

The former Kano State governor said the NDC was willing to explore all possible measures, including fuel subsidies, to bring down the price of petrol.

He stated, “We are on the same page now with His Excellency Peter Obi. Our collective position now is that the price of energy in this country is too high; we are going to do whatever is necessary to ensure that the price of fuel in this country is taken back, including doing whatever we can, including the subsidy.”

Kwankwaso also argued that voters would ultimately assess political parties and candidates based on their records in office rather than the promises they make during election campaigns.

According to him, first-time candidates may outline their plans to the electorate, but those seeking another opportunity in office would be judged by what they accomplished during their previous tenure.

He added, “If you are coming for the first time, you can tell people what you intend to do, but after four years, it’s not what you say, it’s what you have done during the opportunity that you had that will work for you or against you.”

The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has faulted Vice-President Kashim Shettima’s description of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as “the master of bogus statistics and incoherent economic prescriptions.”....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Shettima made the remark on Wednesday during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja. He accused Obi of relying heavily on foreign economic models without adequately considering Nigeria’s unique circumstances and challenges.

Although the Vice-President described Obi as his “very good friend,” he questioned the former Anambra State governor’s frequent comparisons between Nigeria and countries such as Bangladesh.

However, speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, Kwankwaso defended Obi, insisting that the presidential candidate’s figures were largely accurate because he takes time to verify them.

Kwankwaso acknowledged that people could occasionally make mistakes or misspeak, but maintained that Shettima’s criticism of Obi was unjustified.

He said, “I always listen to him (Peter Obi), like all others, I take time to check the statistics. As far as I am concerned, most of the figures he was saying were correct and the only thing, of course as human beings you are bound to make mistakes or a slip of tongue as they call it.

“But for Shettima to come and make that statement, I don’t think he is correct. So, I am happy that our presidential candidate is somebody who is conversant with statistics, not only in this country but all over the world, in Europe, Asia, everywhere and I think that is a good one.”