Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has attacked the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, accusing him of seeking media relevance through “baseless criticisms” of the government’s efforts in the nation’s capital.
The minister’s outburst was triggered by Obi’s recent comments at a public school in the Kuje area council of the FCT, where he was reported to have criticised the government for abandoning public schools.
At the inauguration of newly constructed roads in the Mabushi District of Abuja yesterday, Wike said that “it is not everything you must play politics, with” and challenged Obi’s record as a former governor of Anambra State.
He directly confronted Obi’s claims, drawing a sharp comparison between their respective tenures.
“Mr. Peter Obi, we just came into office two years ago. We have not even stayed four years, but you stayed eight good years.
“Compare what we have done in two years in the FCT with what you did in eight years in Anambra. Can you really say you love this country? Can you really say you love Anambra? Certainly not,” he said.
The minister delved into Anambra’s financial history, alleging that Obi prioritised profit over development.
“In eight years, instead of developing Anambra, you took the money and put it in a bank you have an interest in, Fidelity Bank. So that profit will be coming, and Anambra would be suffering,” he said.
Wike also dismissed Obi’s well-publicised acts of social advocacy, such as celebrating his birthday in an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, as mere political stunts.
“You cannot be President of Nigeria only when you go to one IDP for a birthday party. When you were a governor, why didn’t you do your birthday party in an IDP camp?
“It is now you want to be president that every day you say, ‘I’m going to do my birthday with the less privileged.’ Who do you want to deceive? Enough is enough,” he said.
He further questioned Obi’s leadership capacity, citing the internal crisis within the Labour Party.
“You run as president under a party and you cannot manage it, an ordinary party. You can know a good dancer from the first step.
“An ordinary party of how many people? It is in crisis. You can’t hold it together, but you want to manage a complex nation like Nigeria. It’s not for people like you,” Wike said.
During the event, Wike praised Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Damian Dodo, as an example of a “good citizen.”
He recounted how Dodo privately drew his attention to the poor state of Kez Udezue Street, leading to the government’s swift intervention and the road’s reconstruction within six months.
“That is what good citizens, responsible citizens should do. Not coming on social media to castigate the government just for political purposes,” Wike said.
He thanked the contractor, Lubrik Construction, and the FCT Administration for their commitment, assuring that the government would continue to partner with those dedicated to the development of the territory.
In her remarks, the FCT minister of State, Mariya Mahmoud, expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his steady leadership and enduring belief that the prosperity of Nigeria begins with the strength and functionality of its capital city.
Mahmoud also acknowledged the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, as the driver of the Renewed Hope Agenda, whose purposeful leadership, passion for infrastructure renewal, and bold drive for results have ignited a new era of development within the FCT.
She tasked residents of the FCT to maintain the infrastructure, saying, “These roads belong to you; may they serve your daily lives with ease and safety.”
