Veteran Nollywood actor Patrick Doyle has harshly criticized the choice of seating by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike during a recent media briefing in Abuja, describing it as a disturbing display of arrogance and a sign of Nigeria’s political elite being out of touch with ordinary citizens.
In a Facebook post now widely shared, Doyle expressed disbelief over the gold-plated, throne-like chair fronting the press conference.
He wrote:
“If this isn’t a throne I wonder what is. Why on earth would a minister of the Nigerian state mount a throne to address Nigerians? This is a sign of the psychosis afflicting Nigerian political office holders—delusion of grandeur” .
The image of Wike seated on such an extravagant chair came when he held his monthly media chat in Abuja. Intended as a routine engagement, the event quickly shifted focus—not onto his message, but onto the symbolism of the ornate chair.
The public backlash was immediate, with viewers and critics interpreting it as a disconnect from the hardship facing many Nigerians today.
One commentator online noted the irony: a minister charging citizens with duty yet choosing an ostentatious seat to deliver his speech, further deepening the gap between elected leaders and their constituents.
In responding to the debate, Doyle urged public officials to exercise humility and awareness of how even small symbols—like the chair at a press briefing—can erode public trust, added that such “showy” displays create widening divisions between those in power and the millions struggling economically .
SEE SCREENSHOT BELOW
Doyle’s comments reflect growing public disquiet over the optics of power within Nigeria’s ruling class. His criticism was echoed by several online outlets, with media outlets highlighting his remark and denouncing the “excessive self-importance” the setting conveyed .
For many Nigerians enduring rising hardship, this episode reinforces long-held suspicions about political excess and elitism. As pressure mounts for more accountable governance, Doyle’s voices recalls that optics matter—and that modesty could help bridge the deepening trust gap.
Discussion about this post