Cynthia Ezegwu
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has berated the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, saying he would “continue to contest as President on social media but not as President of Nigeria.”
Wike made the remark on Thursday during the inauguration of newly constructed roads in the Mabushi District of Abuja, following Obi’s criticism of the poor state of public schools in the FCT.
Obi had, during a visit to LEA Primary School, Kapwa, on Wednesday, described the school’s condition as “a national disgrace” and a reflection of Nigeria’s “hollow commitment to education.”
But responding, Wike accused Obi of playing politics with everything and seeking social media sympathy through emotional public appearances.
“I hear one of the social media presidential candidates went to one of the Local Authority area schools and said government has abandoned public schools. In particular, his name is Mr Peter Obi. It is not everything you must play politics with,” Wike said.
The minister questioned Obi’s moral standing to criticise government infrastructure, alleging that he prioritised personal interests over development while serving as governor of Anambra State.
“Peter Obi, you were governor for eight years in Anambra State. If you had finished all the jobs in eight years, nobody would be talking about developing Anambra by now. And why did you have problems with your successor?” he asked.
Comparing his record in the FCT with Obi’s time as governor, Wike claimed he had achieved more in two years than Obi did in eight.
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“We just came into office two years ago, not even four yet. You served eight good years. Compare what we have done in two years in the FCT with your eight years in Anambra—can you really say you love this country? Can you really say you love Ndi Anambra? Certainly not,” he said.
He further criticised Obi’s management of the Labour Party, insisting that a man unable to lead a small party could not govern a country of over 200 million people.
“You will continue to contest as President on social media, but not as President of Nigeria. You ran as President under a party; you couldn’t manage that party. Ordinary party, you couldn’t hold together. It’s Nigeria of over 200 million people you want to manage? It’s not available for people like you,” Wike added.