Wike inducted into Idoma Hall of Fame, calls for shift in ‘politics of entitlement ‘

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), His Excellency, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has challenged Nigerian political leaders and citizens to move beyond the cyclical politics of grievance, entitlement, and sectional agitation, advocating instead for a governance model anchored on responsibility, institutional strength, and service delivery.

Delivering the keynote address during his induction into the First Idoma Hall of Fame, a ceremony designed to honour sons and daughters whose extraordinary contributions have enriched community heritage and national development on Thursday, October 15, 2026, Wike spoke on the theme: “People, Politics and Power Play in Nigeria: The Agitation for Equity and Fairness”.

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Addressing a distinguished audience of traditional rulers, federal lawmakers, diplomats, academics, and civil society leaders, Wike interrogated the core meaning of equity and fairness in Nigeria’s multi-ethnic federation, cautioning against reducing justice to a mere zero-sum contest over ethnic rotation or public appointments.

True fairness, he noted, means ensuring every Nigerian has a genuine opportunity to participate in national life, benefit from public institutions, and live with the confidence that the state does not belong more to one group than another.

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“It is easy to speak passionately about equity when one’s community is excluded. It is far more difficult to defend the same principle when one’s community enjoys disproportionate access to power”, the Minister stated, stressing that justice ceases to be a slogan when defended, even when it does not benefit oneself.

While acknowledging constitutional provisions like the federal character principle (Section 14 of the 1999 Constitution) as vital mechanisms for mitigating horizontal inequalities, the Minister warned against treating representation as an end in itself.

He said that representation should not be considered over and above performance, adding that changing the identities of those who gain access to public office without changing how power is exercised amounts merely to a redistribution of privilege.

In a passionate call to action, the Minister urged a fundamental shift in Nigeria’s political orientation: “Our Turn asks: when will our people get power? How much of the national cake belongs to us? Our Responsibility asks: What will we do with power when it comes? How do we make the cake larger and distribute it fairly?

He said equity must do more than determining who sits at the table but also help to determine whether the table is fair. “Equity cannot mean merely changing the identity of those who benefit from power. If one group replaces another at the table while the benefits remain fundamentally exclusionary, the occupants have changed, but the injustice has not. This is where the Nigerian conversation about fairness becomes morally demanding. If we complain about marginalisation only when our own people are excluded, but become silent when others are marginalised after our people gain power, we are not opposing injustice; we are seeking access to its privileges. If we demand fairness when we are disadvantaged but celebrate exclusion when it favours us, then what we call equity is merely self-interest wearing the language of justice”, the Minister further stated.

Defending his record and the current administration’s approach to governance, the FCT Minister urged critics to judge leaders by tangible infrastructure and service delivery rather than superficial political theater or emotional appeals.

He pointed to visible transformations within Abuja’s city center and satellite towns as proof of focused administration. Furthermore, he noted that unprecedented financial allocations currently reaching sub-national governments mean that citizens should direct their demands for accountability to local leaders and governors rather than shifting all responsibilities exclusively to the central government.

Concluding his address, Wike called on Nigerians to look past religious, ethnic, and partisan biases. He urged the nation to transition permanently away from toxic zero-sum competition and the politics of entitlement, moving instead toward a culture where political authority is treated as a sacred public trust dedicated entirely to serving the people.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee for the Idoma Hall of Fame, Paul Harris Ogbole (SAN), explained that the annual lecture series was designed as a non-political platform to document and preserve the achievements of outstanding Idoma sons and daughters, as well as honor exceptional non-Idoma ambassadors who have impacted the community. He warmly appreciated the FCT Minister for honoring the invitation despite his demanding schedule.

The Chairman of the Advisory Board, Morgan Okwoche, on his part, clarified that the Hall of Fame is an independent NGO registered with the CAC, dedicated purely to recognizing excellence and inspiring future generations. He urged stakeholders to protect the institution from divisive interests.

Representing the Chairman of the occasion, the paramount traditional ruler of Doma Kingdom, the Andoma of Doma (HRM Aliyu Oga Onawo), praised the FCT Minister for executing impactful infrastructural renewal in Abuja, noting that the current federal administration has delivered substantial resources across all tiers of government. He stressed that the initiative reflects a shared commitment to building a better Nigeria.

The convener of Idoma Hall of Fame, Engr. Agaba Ikwue, Agama of the Idoma nation, delivered a powerful, reflective, and impassioned speech framing the core philosophy and historic gravity of the 2026 induction ceremony.

“Today is momentous. It is a manifestation of a vision and the beginning of what we believe will become one of the most enduring institutions of cultural memory, excellence, and inspiration in Idoma history”, he said.

Emphasizing the core motivation behind the initiative, the Convener highlighted the danger of undocumented histories: “The Idoma Hall of Fame was conceived from a simple but powerful conviction: that the people who do not deliberately preserve the stories of their greatness risk allowing those stories to disappear. Across generations, Idoma sons and daughters have distinguished themselves in leadership, education, business, engineering, medicine, law, academia, public service, military, diplomacy, arts, culture, sports, and philanthropy. Yet too many of these stories remain undocumented, and too many of our heroes are remembered only within their families or immediate communities.”

To tackle this, he announced a landmark project central to the Hall of Fame’s mission:

“Central to this mission is the establishment of both a physical and a digital museum dedicated to the history, achievements, culture, and contributions of the Idoma people. The Idoma story must not merely be remembered; it must be accessible, searchable, teachable, and transferable from generations to generations.”

The highlight of the event included the unveiling and launching of the compendium of the Idoma Hall of Fame, by renowned cleric, Pastor Paul Enenche and his wife, Mrs. Becky Enenche.

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