2027: Obi Will Flee To Cameroon Rather Than Tackle Nigeria’s Problems, Wike Alleges

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe at the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, alleging that he lacks the capacity to confront Nigeria’s challenges and would rather flee to Cameroon than take responsibility for governing the country.

Wike contrasted Obi’s leadership capacity with that of President Bola Tinubu, whom he praised for confronting the country’s challenges and taking difficult decisions in the interest of the nation.

The minister made the remarks on Tuesday during the Abaji Area Council Rainbow Coalition and Stakeholders’ Meeting in Abuja, where he urged FCT residents to support Tinubu’s re-election bid in the 2027 general elections.

He maintained that Nigeria needed a leader with the courage and capacity to confront difficult national issues rather than abandon responsibility when faced with challenges.

Taking a swipe at Obi’s presidential ambition, Wike argued that leadership of the country required more than political promises and public appearances, insisting that the president must be prepared to take difficult decisions and accept responsibility for their consequences.

The FCT minister also challenged political leaders and stakeholders in Abaji to translate their professed support for Tinubu into electoral victory at the polling-unit and ward levels.

He said his assessment of political leaders in the territory would be based on their ability to deliver their respective wards for the President in 2027.

“Let me repeat what I said yesterday. To the people of Abaji, through their chairman, councillors and leaders, you come from different wards. You have told me you will vote for Tinubu. I have no problem with that. I want to see it,” he said.

Wike specifically charged the Abaji Area Council chairman, councillors and other political stakeholders to mobilise their communities and ensure Tinubu’s victory, stressing that political loyalty must be demonstrated through tangible electoral results.

He further declared that the FCT would not only match Rivers State in electoral performance but surpass it, noting that he was prepared to deploy the same political mobilisation strategy in Abuja.

“Nobody is competing with Rivers. I don’t know what you all think. The only people who are going to compete with Rivers are the FCT. Whatever I will do there, I will do it here. So make sure you beat Rivers,” Wike said.

He called on traditional rulers, women, youths and political leaders across the six area councils to intensify grassroots mobilisation to secure Tinubu’s victory in their respective polling units and wards.

The minister also cautioned FCT residents against what he described as repeating the mistake of the 2023 elections, when they allegedly voted for politicians who subsequently failed to maintain contact with their constituents or address their concerns.

“You went and elected somebody you don’t know. Is it not correct? Have you seen the person again? Has he come to address you? Has he asked you what your problems are? Has he moved anything that will affect the interest of the FCT?” he asked.

He urged residents to assess political office holders based on their accessibility, performance and contributions to development rather than political rhetoric and propaganda.

According to him, voters should support candidates who understand the peculiar challenges confronting the FCT and are committed to addressing the needs of its residents.

Wike also disclosed that he would meet with FCT youths on Wednesday to discuss political mobilisation and other issues concerning their participation in the forthcoming elections.

He assured political stakeholders that the necessary arrangements and resources for the electioneering campaign were being put in place, expressing confidence in the Rainbow Coalition’s capacity to mobilise support for Tinubu.

On infrastructure, the minister renewed his commitment to addressing the electricity challenge in Abaji before the 2027 general elections.

He directed the area council chairman to intensify efforts towards restoring electricity supply, urging residents to hold political aspirants accountable for the development challenges affecting their communities.

Wike insisted that politicians seeking the people’s mandate must demonstrate a genuine commitment to resolving their problems rather than making promises during election campaigns.

Describing the Abaji engagement as the final meeting in his tour of the six FCT area councils ahead of the 2027 elections, the minister said he would return to assess the level of satisfaction among residents and evaluate the performance of political stakeholders.

He maintained that his political coordination assignment was backed by adequate preparations, dismissing suggestions that opposition parties could frustrate the coalition’s mobilisation efforts.

Wike expressed confidence that Tinubu would secure another term in office, urging FCT residents to remain united, strengthen grassroots mobilisation and work towards delivering the territory for the President in the 2027 elections.