The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, Nyesom Wike, has called on Nigerians to be cautious of ’emergency democrats,’ who now identify with ordinary citizens as the 2027 general election approaches.

Mr Wike said such politicians who suddenly show solidarity with Nigerians often pretend to live like ordinary citizens in a bid to win sympathy and votes, despite being disconnected from the people while in office.

The minister spoke on Monday in Benin, the Edo State capital, during the official handover of 54 pieces of construction equipment to the state’s 18 local government areas.

“That’s why Nigerians must be very careful of emergency democratic people who, when they’re in office, they hardly would come out to talk about coming out to buy corn on the road or to chew corn,” Mr Wike said.

He added, “Something you have never done since you were born, simply because you want to deceive the people to say you are one of the people.”

His comments came a week after former Rivers governor and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rotimi Amaechi, was spotted on the streets of Abuja eating corn while wearing the party’s face cap.

Pictures of Mr Amaechi, a former transportation minister under the late President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime, went viral, as netizens called his actions a gimmick to woo voters ahead of the 2027 polls. Neither Mr Ameachi nor his media team have since denied the pictures.

Mr Wike lampooned politicians who suddenly adopt street-level lifestyles during electioneering and campaigns, noting that many of them had never behaved in such a manner before seeking votes from the citizens.

The minister argued that elections in Nigeria should be won on the basis of performance and visible achievements, not through populist gestures to entice the electorate.

“Winning an election is not by dancing, and winning an election is not by buying corn on the road. Winning an election is to show the people what you have done and the foundation you have laid,” he stressed.

He, however, lauded President Bola Tinubu, noting that his government has met Nigerians’ expectations, particularly in the FCT.