Obi Only Capable Of Leading Social Media, Not Nigeria, Says Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike has questioned the leadership capacity of former Anambra State governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, describing him as a social media phenomenon rather than a credible contender for Nigeria’s presidency.

Wike spoke yesterday during a town hall meeting with stakeholders in Bonny local government area of Rivers State where he criticised Obi’s leadership record and mocked his practice of carrying his own bags which he portrayed as an attempt to project frugality.

“Truly speaking, I give him the position of president of social media. If you were to vote for the president of social media, I would vote for him. But if it is to govern Nigeria, it’s capital no!” Wike said.

He argued that online popularity is not enough to qualify anyone to lead the country, insisting that Nigerians should assess presidential aspirants based on their records in public office and their capacity to manage complex national challenges.

The minister also faulted Obi on what he described as excessive thrift, saying a former governor should be able to employ a personal assistant to carry his bag rather than use the practice to cultivate a public image.
“As a former governor, you cannot be so stingy as not to have employed 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 said.

Wike further questioned Obi’s performance as Anambra governor, urging Nigerians to assess his administration against the performance of the incumbent governor, Chukwuma Soludo.

He also criticised politicians who defect from their parties when confronted with internal disputes, arguing that leadership required the courage to confront difficult situations rather than abandon them.

“How will you solve the problem of the country? Did you see when there was a problem in PDP? Did I run? I defeated them,” Wike said.

Turning to Rivers State politics, the minister criticised the previous administration over projects he alleged had failed to deliver value for public funds.

He claimed that $39 million, which he put at about N53 billion, was spent on a proposed 1,000-bed Justice Karibi-Whyte Specialist Hospital without the project reaching the foundation stage.

“Thirty-nine million US dollars, 53 billion naira, gone! As I speak to you, there’s no foundation, no one block laid,” he said.

Wike also questioned the Rivers State monorail project, alleging that about N60 billion was spent on it without commensurate benefits to residents.

On the sale of a gas turbine, he claimed the transaction was worth $308 million, alleging that only $308,000 remained in the relevant state account when he assumed office in May 2015.

The minister also recalled a proposal to spend $10 million on fumigating Rivers State to tackle mosquitoes, questioning the rationale for the exercise in a state that shares borders with several other states.

He urged voters to scrutinise the records of politicians seeking elective office rather than relying on campaign promises and public declarations.

Wike also expressed reservations about the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket and questioned the reliability of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, whom he said he had known from their days in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The FCT minister reaffirmed his support for President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying he would back the party in the 2027 presidential election.

He said the Rainbow Coalition had brought politicians from different parties together in Rivers State to reduce political divisions and violence, even as members prepared to contest elections on different party platforms.

“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 would unveil its candidates on October 27, naming Kingsley Chinda as its preferred candidate for the Rivers State governorship election.

He also disclosed candidates for other elective positions, noting that some would contest under the APC despite the coalition’s membership cutting across party lines.

The minister urged Rivers residents to support candidates he described as experienced and committed to public service, while assuring the people of Bonny that their concerns would receive attention.

He also commended the completion of the Bonny-Bodo Road, describing it as a major development that had improved access to the island community and reduced residents’ dependence on boats for transportation.

Wike said he had informed Tinubu that the road’s completion represented a significant achievement for Bonny, stressing that infrastructure development was critical to the community’s economic growth and overall development.