Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has described the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, as stingy and unfit to govern Nigeria.
Wike made the remarks during a town hall meeting with stakeholders in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he questioned Obi’s leadership qualities and mocked him for carrying his own bags.
The minister argued that a former governor seeking to lead Nigeria should be able to employ a personal assistant rather than carry his belongings himself.
“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.
He also dismissed Obi’s popularity on social media.
According to him, online support did not necessarily translate into the ability to govern a country.
Wike further questioned Obi’s record as governor of Anambra State.
“People should look at what the current governor, Chukwuma Soludo, is doing and compare it with what Obi did when he was governor of Anambra State,” Wike said.
The FCT minister also criticised politicians who leave their parties during internal disputes, saying leadership requires the ability to confront challenges rather than abandon them.
Referring to the crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Wike said he remained in the party and fought his political battles instead of leaving.
“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.
Wike also expressed doubts about the leadership of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential ticket and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, whom he said he had known since their time in the PDP.
He reaffirmed his support for President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress, APC, declaring that the ruling party was the platform he would support in the 2027 presidential election.
The minister urged Nigerians to examine the records of politicians seeking public office rather than rely solely on campaign promises.