Human rights activist and #RevolutionNow convener, Omoyele Sowore, has launched a scathing criticism against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over the celebration of his son’s graduation in the United Kingdom.
Sowore, a former presidential candidate under the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 General Elections, took to his official X handle to lambast Wike for what he described as a glaring failure to prioritize education in Nigeria. Sowore’s remarks were triggered by Wike’s celebratory social media post about his son, Jordan, earning a Master of Laws (LLM) Degree from Queen Mary University of London.
In his post, Wike shared, “Happy to witness, alongside my wife, the graduation ceremony of our son, Jordan, who just earned a Master of Laws (LLM) Degree at the Queen Mary University of London, UK.”
Reacting sharply, Sowore accused Wike of hypocrisy, pointing out that despite his extensive political career—including a four-year tenure as Minister of Education, two terms as Rivers State Governor, and two terms as a local government chairman—Wike failed to build schools in Nigeria that could be deemed good enough for his own children.
“You served as Minister of Education for four years, ruled Rivers State as Governor for eight years, and are currently the FCT Minister, yet you couldn’t build a single school where your children could study. You are a disgrace!” Sowore wrote.
Sowore’s criticism underscores the growing frustration among Nigerians over political leaders who prioritize foreign education for their children while the nation’s educational system remains underfunded and plagued with infrastructure decay, underpaid teachers, and recurrent strikes.
The activist’s remarks have reignited the public discourse on the glaring contradictions in Nigeria’s political elite, who often patronize foreign services while neglecting the very systems they were elected or appointed to improve.
Wike’s tenure as Minister of Education and Rivers State Governor had drawn mixed reviews, with critics pointing out that his focus on grandiose projects often overshadowed the more pressing need to overhaul the educational sector. Sowore’s fiery rhetoric has further amplified calls for accountability among Nigeria’s political class, particularly regarding their role in the nation’s failing education system.
As Nigerians continue to debate the issue, many see this as a wake-up call for political leaders to lead by example by investing in local institutions rather than outsourcing their families’ welfare abroad.
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