The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe at former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, saying he would continue to contest for president only on social media and not in real life.
Wike made the comment on Thursday during the inauguration of newly constructed roads in the Mabushi District of Abuja. His remarks followed Obi’s criticism of the poor state of public schools in the FCT.
#### Background to the Clash
Peter Obi had visited LEA Primary School in Kapwa on Wednesday, describing the learning conditions there as a “national disgrace” and evidence of Nigeria’s weak commitment to education. He lamented the lack of chairs, toilets, and other basic facilities, calling it a failure of leadership.
#### Wike’s Response
Reacting to Obi’s comments, Wike accused him of politicising every issue and relying on emotional gestures to gain social media sympathy. The FCT Minister defended his administration’s efforts to address infrastructural challenges and insisted that critics were ignoring ongoing reforms.
“I hear one of the social media presidential candidates went to a local authority school claiming the government has abandoned public schools — in particular, Mr Peter Obi,” Wike said. “It’s not everything you must play politics with.”
The minister further questioned Obi’s credibility to criticise any government, recalling his tenure as Anambra State governor.
“Peter Obi, you were governor for eight years. If you had completed all the necessary projects, nobody would still be talking about development in Anambra today. And why did you have issues with your successor?” he asked.
Wike alleged that Obi neglected infrastructural development during his administration, prioritising personal financial prudence over the welfare of the people.
“Mr Peter Obi, we’ve been in office for just two years, not even four. You were there for eight. Compare our two years in the FCT to your eight years in Anambra — can you really say you love this country? Can you say you love Ndi Anambra? Certainly not,” he said.
Concluding his remarks, Wike mocked Obi’s political influence, saying, “You will continue to contest for president on social media, but not as president of Nigeria. You couldn’t even manage your own party; how can you manage a country of over 200 million people? It’s not possible for people like you.”
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