Wike Attacks Obi: “He Will Remain a Social Media President”
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has launched a fresh verbal attack on the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, accusing him of deceit, hypocrisy, and playing politics with development issues in the nation’s capital.
Wike made the remarks on Monday while commissioning a newly completed road project in Abuja. The event, attended by senior government officials, community leaders, and FCT residents, was meant to celebrate another milestone under the Tinubu administration’s infrastructure renewal agenda. However, the minister used the platform to respond sharply to recent comments attributed to Obi regarding poor facilities in some schools within the Federal Capital Territory.
Speaking with his characteristic bluntness, Wike dismissed Obi’s criticism as “cheap political propaganda” and accused him of misleading Nigerians for social media popularity.
“The road we are commissioning today, it was a responsible citizen who called our attention to it, and I am happy that citizen is here with us,” Wike said, drawing applause from the crowd.
“But there is one social media man who calls himself a presidential candidate. He went to a school here in the FCT and said we didn’t provide toilets for them. Imagine that! He plays politics with everything.”
The Minister, who served as Governor of Rivers State from 2015 to 2023 before joining President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet, did not mince words in his criticism of Obi, accusing him of mismanaging Anambra State resources during his eight-year tenure as governor.
“When he was governor for eight years, did he develop the entire Anambra State?” Wike asked rhetorically. “Instead, he carried the state’s money and put it in his bank. That’s his style of governance. And that is why his successors have been struggling to fix the state.”
Wike, known for his fiery speeches and confrontational political style, said Obi had no moral ground to lecture anyone about governance or development, especially given what he described as his “poor record” in Anambra.
“I challenge him to come out publicly and compare what he did for eight years in Anambra with what we have achieved in the FCT in just two years,” he said, pounding the lectern for emphasis.
“Let Nigerians see who is truly working. It’s easy to talk, but real leadership is about results. We are not here to deceive people with slogans or social media trends; we are here to work.”
The crowd, largely made up of residents and political supporters, cheered as Wike continued his scathing critique.
He accused Obi of using social media as his only political platform, adding that leadership requires experience, vision, and the ability to manage complex institutions—not online activism.
“Someone who cannot even manage a political party as a presidential candidate is talking about managing a complex country like Nigeria,” Wike said. “He couldn’t keep his party together, yet he talks about governing 200 million people. That is why I say he will remain a social media president.”
The FCT Minister’s remarks come days after viral footage showed Peter Obi visiting a public school in the FCT, where he reportedly lamented the lack of basic facilities, including toilets. The video, which spread widely across social media platforms, had sparked discussions about the state of public education in Abuja.
However, Wike argued that rather than seeking attention online, responsible citizens should bring such issues to the attention of government through proper channels.
“The citizen who called our attention to this road did the right thing,” he said. “That is what responsible people do—they help government work better. But some people prefer to score cheap political points by visiting schools, taking pictures, and pretending to care. That is not leadership.”
Wike, who has consistently portrayed himself as a results-oriented administrator, used the occasion to highlight his achievements since taking charge of the FCT in August 2023. He said his team had focused on infrastructure renewal, urban development, and restoring Abuja’s original master plan.
“Since we came on board, we have completed multiple road projects, modernized schools and hospitals, and improved the city’s aesthetics,” Wike said. “In less than two years, Abuja has witnessed more transformation than it has seen in many years.”
The Minister also praised President Bola Tinubu for what he described as “unwavering support” for his administration’s reforms, saying that the President’s commitment to the FCT had translated into real progress.
“President Tinubu has shown genuine commitment to making Abuja a world-class capital city,” he said. “He gave us the free hand to deliver, and that is why residents can now see visible changes across the city. We are translating his Renewed Hope Agenda into action.”
Wike’s remarks are consistent with his outspoken style and his history of political clashes with figures across party lines. A key figure in the G-5 bloc of governors who rebelled against the PDP leadership before the 2023 elections, Wike has remained one of Nigeria’s most vocal and controversial political actors.
Since assuming office as FCT Minister, he has often used public events to challenge opposition leaders and defend the policies of the Tinubu administration. His latest outburst against Obi is seen by many as part of a broader strategy to counter the growing influence of the Labour Party, particularly among urban youth and professionals.
Wike’s comments have sparked mixed reactions from political observers, residents, and social media users. Supporters of the FCT Minister praised his boldness and pointed to his visible performance in Abuja as justification for his confidence.
“Say what you want about Wike, but the man is working,” said Mrs. Olufunke Adebayo, a businesswoman in Wuse. “The roads are better, streetlights are back, and the city feels alive again. If he wants to defend his record, he has every right to do so.”
However, others criticized his comments as needlessly divisive and unbecoming of a public official. Some argued that Wike’s frequent verbal attacks distract from governance and reflect political insecurity.
A civil rights activist, Mr. Chinedu Eze, said, “Wike seems more interested in picking fights than addressing the real issues. Leadership is not about who shouts louder; it’s about humility, results, and respect for others. He should focus on his work and stop politicizing everything.”
Meanwhile, Obi’s supporters on social media dismissed Wike’s remarks as “attention-seeking,” noting that the Labour Party leader’s visits to schools and hospitals were part of his long-standing advocacy for good governance and transparency.
Despite the controversy, Wike has maintained that his focus remains on performance rather than public opinion. He reiterated that his administration would continue to prioritize infrastructure, urban renewal, and improved service delivery for Abuja residents.
“We are not here for noise or social media applause,” he said. “We are here to serve. Abuja will continue to witness transformation under President Tinubu’s leadership. Let others talk; we will continue to deliver.”
He assured residents that the FCTA would continue identifying and fixing critical infrastructure gaps across the territory, emphasizing that responsible citizenship is key to governance success.
“Government cannot do everything alone,” Wike added. “When citizens report issues constructively, we act. That is how societies grow. But those who only complain for political reasons will never contribute to development.”
As he cut the ribbon to formally declare the road open, the crowd erupted in cheers, chanting his name. Wike smiled, waved, and walked off with his trademark confidence, leaving behind not only a newly completed road but also yet another headline-making political storm.
