A video of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, attending the 2025 Asia Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors’ Forum in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, accompanied by his two sons, has generated widespread reactions on social media.

This comes after photos of Wike's two sons were spotted at the event that brings together city leaders and government officials from around the world.

In the photos that have gone viral, his sons were spotted wearing official landyards with identity cards as delegates.

Social media users have since accused the FCT Minister of turning government business into a “family affair.”

Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, fuelled the controversy further on Tuesday evening when he lashed out at critics questioning the propriety of the minister’s decision.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Olayinka wrote, “When e reach your turn, carry your enemies travel,” a statement many Nigerians interpreted as a mockery of legitimate calls for accountability in public office.

Social media erupted soon after, with commentators and ordinary citizens condemning the apparent misuse of public funds.

User @iOccupyNigeria criticized the minister’s action, writing: Make una no use cruise cover madness. Wike no be governor. Him no be mayor. He be Minister of FCT, yet he go Mayors’ Conference for Dubai, carry him children as official delegates, tag lanyard join. Who born that kind impunity?

"Na public money dem use fly go. Hotel, feeding, transport, all funded — inside country wey people dey chop once a day, if dem lucky."

The post continued: “Which one be Wike pikin role for this event? He be Mayor of what? Or na him dey represent Abuja Municipal Council? This one no be travel again. Na state-sponsored family vacation with delegate pass.

"You dey shout “carry your enemies travel” — bros, this one na carry your children use government cover cloth. Na why Nigeria no dey move. Make una no complain tomorrow say economy bad. Na una dey clap when person dey use ministerial office do dynasty tourism. Hisssssssssssssh.”

Another user, @MMBaloo, took a swipe at Olayinka, suggesting he was defending the indefensible: "The difference is that you didn’t go with your own children na I’m sure you will be running errands for those kids."

Others, like @megaflexing, lamented that such actions represent a deeper problem in African governance: "This is exactly one of d mindset dat has kept Africa backward

There shld nothing like friend or enemy in governance. It shld be abt d interest of d pple & d best pple dat can deliver shld be d ones put in position"

Similarly, @Real_me_Abdul added a more philosophical tone, warning Nigerians about the consequences of complacency:

"You are witnessing your resources looted and spent on father and his children and being positioned for the future to come and rule over you like their fathers.

"It's not that you have no choice. It's because you have chosen to have choices in slávery. Think about your life, bro."

According to @BigOnukwugha, the minister’s conduct undermines institutional development within the FCT Administration.

"When a minister like Wike takes his children instead of ministry staff to official engagements abroad, it undermines institutional growth. Career civil servants lose learning exposure needed to strengthen the ministry’s capacity and continuity. We should do better as a people."

Another user, @rollinsonwali, criticized the government’s attitude towards citizens, saying: "The sad thing about government is that they mock the very people funding their lifestyle, then still tax them heavily to maintain it, while paying others peanuts to defend them on social media. It’s just sad and evil."