Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has launched a scathing attack on former Anambra State Governor and 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, describing him as a “social media president” who lacks the capacity to govern Nigeria.
Wike made the remarks on Saturday during a Town Hall interactive meeting with stakeholders in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The former Rivers State Governor mocked Obi’s widely publicized habit of carrying his own luggage at airports, describing it as stinginess and not prudence.
According to Wike, a leader who cannot employ a Personal Assistant to carry his bag is too stingy to be entrusted with managing the resources of a country like Nigeria.
“Truly speaking, I gave him president of social media. If you were to vote who will be president of social media, I will vote for him. But if it is to govern Nigeria, it capital NO!” Wike said.
“As a former Governor, you cannot be stingy not to employ a Personal Assistant who will carry your bag. You want to show you carry your bag. We don’t want such a stingy person as a president,” he added.
Wike Questions Obi’s Record in Anambra
The FCT Minister further questioned Peter Obi’s eight-year record as Governor of Anambra State, challenging Nigerians to compare his administration with that of the current governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.
Wike argued that true leadership is assessed by tangible legacies on ground and not by online popularity.
He also took a swipe at politicians who defect from one party to another whenever there is internal crisis, saying leadership requires courage to stay and fight.
“How will you solve the problem of the country? Did you see when there was problem in PDP? Did I run? I defeated them,” Wike stated.
Wike Alleges Mismanagement Under Previous Rivers Govt, Tackles ADC
Wike, who governed Rivers State from 2015 to 2023, used the forum to revisit some projects initiated by the previous administration in the state, alleging financial mismanagement.
He claimed that $39 million, equivalent to about N53 billion, was spent on the proposed 1,000-bed Justice Karibi-Whyte Specialist Hospital without any visible progress.
“Thirty-nine million US dollars, 53 billion naira, gone! As I speak to you, there’s no foundation, no one block laid,” he alleged.
The Minister also criticized the Rivers Monorail project, alleging that about N60 billion was spent on it without delivering value to residents.
He further alleged that a gas turbine belonging to the state was sold for $308 million, but only $308,000 was left in the account when he took over in May 2015. He also recalled a proposal to spend $10 million to fumigate Rivers State against mosquitoes, which he described as illogical.
In the same vein, Wike criticized the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket and questioned the reliability of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, whom he said he knew very well from their days in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
2027: Wike Declares Support For Tinubu, Announces Rainbow Coalition Candidates
Reaffirming his political stance ahead of the 2027 general elections, Wike declared his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He explained that the Rainbow Coalition in Rivers State was formed to unite politicians across party lines, including APC and PDP members, to end political violence in the state.
“Under a Rainbow Coalition, that’s why in our state today, you see APC, PDP, all of us. No more Rivers of blood, no more shooting, not many people going to die,” he said.
Wike announced that the coalition will unveil its candidates on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, and named Hon. Kingsley Chinda as its choice for the Rivers State governorship race. He also disclosed that some of its members will contest under the APC platform despite the coalition’s broad membership.
He praised President Tinubu for the completion of the Bonny-Bodo Road, describing it as a major achievement that has ended years of hardship for residents who previously relied on boat transportation to access the island.
The Minister assured Bonny residents that their concerns raised during the town hall meeting would be addressed, while urging them to support experienced and committed candidates in the forthcoming elections.
