The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has come under intense criticism after attending the 2025 Asia Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors’ Forum in Dubai with his two sons, who were reportedly listed as official delegates.

Photos and videos from the event showed Wike’s sons wearing delegate tags; a development that sparked outrage online, with many Nigerians accusing the minister of using public funds for a family trip.

The summit, which gathered city leaders and government representatives from across the world, was meant to promote urban development partnerships.

However, the sight of Wike’s sons participating as delegates quickly turned the conversation to allegations of nepotism and misuse of public resources.

POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the controversy deepened after Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, mocked critics on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “When e reach your turn, carry your enemies travel.”

The statement angered many Nigerians, who saw it as a dismissive response to genuine questions about accountability in public office.

One user, @iOccupyNigeria, expressed outrage, questioning Wike’s justification for bringing his sons to a Mayors’ Conference:

“Wike no be governor, no be mayor. He be Minister of FCT, yet carry him children go Dubai as delegates. Na public money dem use fly go. Who born that kind impunity?”

Others echoed similar sentiments. User @MMBaloo slammed Olayinka, saying he was defending the indefensible: “I’m sure you’ll be running errands for those kids instead of working.”

Many social media users also linked the incident to a growing culture of political entitlement in Nigeria. @Real_me_Abdul wrote, “You are watching your resources being spent on father and sons who’ll later rule over you. And you still clap for them. Think about your life, bro.”

@BigOnukwugha also noted that Wike’s action undermines the civil service: “When ministers replace career officials with family members at international events, it weakens institutional growth and professionalism.”

Another user, @rollinsonwali, criticized the broader government attitude: “They mock the people funding their lifestyle, then still tax them to maintain it. It’s sad and wicked.”

The backlash has since spread across X and Facebook, where users accuse Wike of copying what they call the “Tinubu family-style of governance,” referencing the president’s son, Seyi Tinubu, who is often seen at official events.

The outrage intensified after Isaac Fayose, brother of former Ekiti State governor Ayodele Fayose, posted on Facebook, questioning the boy’s presence at a government meeting. Fayose wrote, “What is Wike’s son doing in a meeting of the directors of the Ministry of Aviation and the FCT?”

That post went viral, with users accusing Wike of grooming his children for political roles. Comments ranged from “He’s learning from Jagaban” to “Catch them young politics.”

However, despite the backlash, neither Wike nor the Ministry of the FCT has issued an official response on whether public funds were used for the Dubai trip.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the removal of Maryam Sanda, sentenced to death in 2020 for the culpable homicide of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, from the pardon list.

Naija News reports that this was made known in a statement on Wednesday by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The statement disclosed that Tinubu ordered the removal of individuals convicted of severe crimes, including kidnapping, drug offenses, human trafficking, fraud, and illegal firearms possession or trafficking, from the list.

Additionally, those who were previously pardoned on the old list have had their sentences reduced.

The statement reads: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has executed the relevant instruments of release to complete the process of formally exercising his constitutional power of prerogative of mercy to grant pardon and clemency to specific individuals who were earlier convicted for various offences.

“Following consultations with the Council of State and public opinion on the matter, the President directed a further review of the initially approved list for consideration in furtherance of the President’s discretionary powers under Section 175(& (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

“Consequently, certain persons convicted of serious crimes such as kidnapping, drug-related offences, human trafficking, fraud, unlawful possession of firearms/arms dealing, etc, were deleted from the list. Others who had been hitherto pardoned in the old list had their sentences commuted.

“This action became necessary in view of the seriousness and security implications of some of the offences, the need to be sensitive to the feelings of the victims of the crimes and society in general, the need to boost the morale of law enforcement agencies and adherence to bilateral obligations. The concept of justice as a three-way traffic for the Accused, the Victim, and the State/Society also guided the review.

“The approved list of eligible beneficiaries has been transmitted to the Nigerian Correctional Service for implementation in line with the duly signed instruments of release.

“Furthermore, to ensure that future exercises meet public expectations and best practices, the President has directed the immediate relocation of the Secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy from the Federal Ministry of Special Duties to the Federal Ministry of Justice.

“President Tinubu also directed the Attorney-General of the Federation to issue appropriate Guidelines for the Exercise of the Power of Prerogative of Mercy, which includes compulsory consultation with relevant prosecuting agencies.

“This will ensure that only persons who fully meet the stipulated legal and procedural requirements will henceforth benefit from the issuance of instruments of release.

“The President appreciated the constructive feedback and engagement from stakeholders and the general public on this matter.

“President Tinubu also reaffirmed his administration’s broader commitment to judicial reforms and improving the administration of justice in Nigeria.”

Recall that the pardon granted to Maryam Sanda had drawn widespread condemnation, with the federal government promising to review the list.

The new full list of those granted clemency by President Tinubu:

Pardons:

1. Mrs Anastasia Daniel Nwaobia

2. Barr. Hussaini Alhaji Umar

3. Ayinla Saadu Alanamu

4. Hon. Farouk M. Lawan

5. Herbert Macaulay

6. Major General Mamman Jiya Vatsa

7. Ken Saro Wiwa

8. Saturday Dobee

9. Nordu Eawo

10. Daniel Gbooko

11. Paul Levera

12. Felix Nuale

13. Baribor Bera

14. Barinem Kiobel

15. John Kpuine

List of individuals whose death sentences have been commuted to life imprisonment:

1. Emmanuel Baba

2. Abubakar Usman

3. Khalifa Umar

4. Mohammed Umar

The list of those granted clemency:

1. Oroka Michael Chibueze

2. Adesanya Olufemi Paul

3. Daniel Bodunwa

4. Hamza Abubakar

5. Buhari Sani

6. Mohammed Musa

7. Muharazu Abubakar

8. Ibrahim Yusuf

9. Saad Ahmed Madaki

10. Ex-Corporal Michael Bawa

11. Richard Ayuba

12. Adam Abubakar

13. Emmanuel Yusuf

14. Chinedu Stanley

15. Johnny Ntheru Udor

Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and ex-Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, has denied any involvement in an alleged coup plot, describing the reports as false, baseless, and politically motivated.

In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Chief Julius Bokoru, Sylva was said to have no connection whatsoever to any coup-related activity, insisting that he remains a committed democrat and steadfast supporter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Bokoru noted that the rumours were part of a smear campaign by political opponents seeking to tarnish Sylva’s image ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“The allegations are entirely false and malicious. Chief Timipre Sylva has no link to any coup plot. His record in politics and governance has been one of dialogue, peace, and democratic engagement,” Bokoru said.

He, however, confirmed that Sylva’s Abuja residence was recently raided by individuals believed to be operatives of the Defense Headquarters, resulting in significant damage to property.

“For the avoidance of doubt, it is true that the residence of His Excellency, Chief Timipre Sylva, was recently subjected to a raid by individuals believed to be operatives of the Defense Headquarters. During the operation, considerable damage was inflicted on the property,” he revealed.

Bokoru explained that the reason for the raid was not communicated to Sylva or his family, adding that the former minister and his wife were not in the country when the incident occurred.

“As of my last communication with His Excellency, he was undergoing routine medical checks in the United Kingdom, after which he was scheduled to attend a professional conference in Malaysia,” Bokoru stated.

He stressed that Sylva’s political philosophy and public service history have always reflected commitment to democratic ideals and constitutional governance, reaffirming his loyalty to President Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Chief Sylva’s support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC is unwavering. His record speaks for itself, and no amount of political mischief will distort that reality,” the statement concluded.