2027: Obi Stingy, Unfit For Presidency, Wike Declares

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticised former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, describing him as stingy and questioning his ability to govern Nigeria.

Wike made the remarks during a town hall meeting with stakeholders in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he mocked Obi for carrying his own bags despite having served as a governor. He argued that a former governor should be able to employ a personal assistant to handle such responsibilities.

The minister also dismissed Obi’s popularity on social media as insufficient evidence of his capacity to lead the country, saying online support did not necessarily translate into effective governance.

Wike questioned Obi’s record during his tenure as Anambra governor and urged Nigerians to assess it alongside the performance of the state’s incumbent governor, Chukwuma Soludo.

He also criticised politicians who leave their parties during internal disagreements, arguing that leadership requires the ability to confront challenges rather than abandon an organisation. Citing his experience in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Wike said he remained in the party during its crises and fought his political battles there.

The FCT minister expressed reservations about 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 time in the PDP.

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

Turning to the previous Rivers State administration, Wike urged voters to examine the records of politicians seeking higher office rather than relying solely on campaign promises.

He alleged that $39 million, which he put at about ₦53 billion, had been spent on a proposed 1,000-bed Justice Karibi-Whyte Specialist Hospital without construction reaching the foundation stage.

Wike also claimed that about ₦60 billion was spent on the state’s monorail project, questioning its functionality and the benefits it had delivered to residents.

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

The minister further recalled a proposal to spend $10 million on fumigating Rivers State to tackle mosquitoes, questioning the rationale for the exercise given the state’s shared boundaries with neighbouring states.

Wike announced that the Rainbow Coalition would unveil its candidates on Tuesday, October 27, naming Kingsley Chinda as its preferred candidate for the Rivers State governorship election. He said some candidates would contest under the APC despite the coalition bringing together members of different political parties.

He said the coalition was intended to promote political cooperation and reduce violence in Rivers State. He also urged residents to support candidates he described as experienced and committed to public service, adding that concerns raised by people in Bonny would receive attention.

Wike praised the completion of the Bonny-Bodo Road, saying it had improved access to the island community and reduced the difficulties residents previously faced when travelling by boat. He described the road as a major achievement for Bonny and said he had conveyed that assessment to Tinubu.