Wike Mocks Obi, Says Social Media Popularity Not Enough To Govern Nigeria

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has mocked former Anambra State governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, questioning his capacity to govern Nigeria and describing him as a “president of social media.”

Wike spoke on Saturday during a town hall meeting with stakeholders in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he criticised Obi’s leadership record and dismissed his online popularity as insufficient qualification for the presidency.

“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!” the minister said.

He also ridiculed Obi’s practice of carrying his own bags, describing it as an attempt to project an image of frugality that, in his view, raised questions about his suitability for the nation’s highest office.

“As a former governor, you cannot be stingy 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,” Wike said.

The minister further challenged Obi’s record as Anambra governor, urging Nigerians to compare his administration with that of the incumbent governor, Chukwuma Soludo.

He argued that aspiring leaders should be judged by their performance in office and their ability to manage political and governance challenges, rather than public perception or campaign rhetoric.

Wike also criticised politicians who leave their parties during internal crises, citing his experience in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as evidence that political disputes should be confronted rather than avoided.

“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,” he said.

Turning to Rivers State, the minister accused the previous administration of wasting public funds on projects that failed to deliver commensurate benefits to residents.

He alleged that $39 million, which he estimated at 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 viability of the state’s monorail project, alleging that about N60 billion was spent on it without adequate returns for the people.

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

He further recalled a proposal to spend $10 million on fumigating Rivers State to tackle mosquitoes, questioning the justification for the expenditure given the state’s geographical boundaries with neighbouring states.

The minister urged voters to examine the records of politicians seeking public office, insisting that past performance should carry more weight than campaign promises.

He also criticised the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket and questioned the reliability of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, whom he said he had known since their days in the PDP.

Wike reaffirmed his support for President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring his intention to back the party in the 2027 presidential election.

He said the Rainbow Coalition had united politicians across party lines in Rivers State to reduce political tensions and violence, even as members prepared to contest elections under different 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, explaining that some would contest under the APC despite the coalition’s cross-party membership.

The minister urged Rivers residents to support candidates he described as experienced and committed to public service, while assuring Bonny residents that issues raised during the meeting would receive attention.

He also praised the completion of the Bonny-Bodo Road, describing it as a major infrastructure achievement that had improved access to the island community and eased the difficulties residents previously faced when travelling by boat.

Wike said he had informed President Tinubu that the road’s completion was a significant milestone for Bonny, stressing that improved infrastructure was essential to the community’s development.