The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has accused the media of double standards in its criticism of the inclusion of politicians facing cases with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the campaign council for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
Wike made the remarks during a media parley in Abuja monitored by The News Chronicle, which turned rowdy at some point as journalists challenged the minister over his justification for allowing individuals with pending EFCC cases to participate in the campaign structure.
The minister, while defending the controversial inclusion, argued that the mere existence of an EFCC case should not automatically prevent an individual from participating in politics or serving in a campaign organisation.
Wike pointed to politicians who had faced EFCC investigations or court cases but subsequently contested elections and won, questioning why the media did not raise similar objections at the time.
He accused journalists and sections of the media of applying different standards to politicians depending on the circumstances.
According to him, if individuals facing corruption-related cases could contest elections, secure the backing of voters and assume elective offices, their participation in a campaign council should not suddenly become a major issue.
The minister’s attempt to justify the position, however, generated a heated exchange during the media parley, with journalists pressing him on whether allegations of financial crimes should be considered when determining the credibility of individuals appointed to political campaign structures.
Wike maintained that there was a need to distinguish between being accused or facing prosecution and being convicted by a competent court, arguing that an unresolved case does not amount to a declaration of guilt.
His comments come amid growing political scrutiny of the composition of the APC presidential campaign structure ahead of the 2027 elections. Wike has previously said he does not need to hold a position in the APC Presidential Campaign Council to contribute to President Tinubu’s electoral success.
READ ALSO: No Criminal Case Against Tinubu in US Due to Lack of Evidence – Lawyer
The minister has also repeatedly accused political opponents and their supporters of double standards in political debates. During an earlier media chat, for instance, he accused opposition figures of hypocrisy over provisions of the Electoral Act.
The latest exchange is, however, likely to intensify debate over the standard expected of individuals selected to occupy prominent positions in political campaign organisations, particularly where such individuals have unresolved cases before anti-corruption agencies.
While an EFCC investigation or pending prosecution does not in itself constitute a conviction, critics argue that political parties and campaign organisations can still impose higher ethical standards on individuals entrusted with representing their candidates.
