A viral post on Thursday by popular online commentator @OurFavOnlineDoc has ignited a fierce public backlash against Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike after he bragged about purchasing a Rolls-Royce with his personal money during a national television interview.
The user described Wike, a former Rivers governor and long-time political officeholder, as “a disgusting parasite who has made an entire livelihood from political office.” The criticism has drawn widespread support from Nigerians online, many of whom are furious at what they see as the minister’s insensitivity and brazen show of wealth in a country where over 100 million people live in extreme poverty.
“A government official with absolutely zero sources of livelihood for the last 26 years is openly boasting about buying a Rolls Royce in a country where over 100 million are languishing below the global poverty line,” @OurFavOnlineDoc wrote, calling out the normalization of “criminal rascality” in Nigeria’s political class.
Wike’s career has spanned nearly three decades within the public sector. According to the post, he graduated in 1997, became a local government chairman by 1999, and held a string of appointments, including Minister of State for Education, Acting Minister of Education, Rivers State Governor, and now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory under Tinubu’s government.
The poster questioned Wike’s source of wealth, accusing him of flaunting unexplained riches built solely on his career in government. “This is the man who just boasted on national TV yesterday that he bought a Rolls Royce with his money. Money from what? Money from doing what exactly?” the post queried.
Reacting in the comments, @Teejay96356301 blamed broadcast journalist Seun Okinbaloye of Channels TV for offering Wike an easy platform, writing, “I don’t blame Wike. I blame Seun Okinbaloye (Channels TV)… we all know Wike won’t have had it easy if Rufai was the interviewer.”
Another user, @seriesPro21, lamented the state of law enforcement in the country, stating: “There’s no hope for the country cos the agencies that are responsible for arresting and prosecuting criminals are now being controlled by criminals. Nigeria is gone beyond repairs.”
@Mbano1stSon_ recalled Wike’s past claims about bankrolling elections in Rivers State, posting, “Someone that boasted about buying election forms for all Rivers State PDP aspirants in the past election. He has a careless lips.”
Other respondents also pointed to the growing culture of impunity and misplaced priorities among public officials. @mati_aeton wrote, “They know Nigerians easily forget things; that’s why they act as if we don’t know their atrocities.”
With anger rising over worsening economic hardship under Tinubu’s administration, Wike’s flamboyant statements have fueled calls for greater accountability and reform in public service, with many demanding that politicians be held to the same standard of scrutiny as everyday citizens.
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