By Kazeem Waris
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has launched a fresh attack on former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, describing him as stingy and unfit to govern Nigeria ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Wike, who spoke on Saturday at a town hall interactive meeting with stakeholders in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, mocked Obi over his habit of carrying his own bags, arguing that the former governor’s public image and popularity on social media were insufficient qualifications for the presidency.
“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,” the minister said.
He dismissed Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), as a politician whose online popularity did not necessarily translate into the experience and capacity required to govern the country.
“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 is capital no\!” Wike declared.
The FCT minister also questioned Obi’s record as governor of Anambra State, suggesting that the performance of the incumbent governor, Chukwuma Soludo, should inform public assessment of his predecessor’s tenure.
Wike’s remarks come as political parties and emerging alliances intensify their preparations for the 2027 general election, with governance records, leadership experience and political coalitions increasingly featuring in campaign rhetoric.
Wike challenges opposition leaders
The minister also criticised politicians who leave their parties when internal disagreements arise, arguing that leadership requires the ability to confront and resolve crises rather than abandon political platforms.
Referring to the internal crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Wike said he had remained in the struggle instead of walking away.
“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.
He expressed reservations about the leadership of 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 Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), indicating that the party remained his preferred platform for the 2027 presidential contest.
Alleges $39m hospital project stalled
Turning to the record of the previous Rivers State administration, Wike challenged voters to scrutinise the performance of politicians seeking higher office, particularly their handling of public funds and delivery of major infrastructure projects.
He alleged that $39 million, equivalent to about N53 billion at the figure he cited, 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 is no foundation, no one block laid,” he alleged.
The minister also questioned the value delivered by the Rivers State monorail project, claiming that about N60 billion had been spent on it.
On the sale of a gas turbine, Wike alleged that a transaction valued at $308 million had left only $308,000 in the relevant state account by the time he assumed office as governor in May 2015.
He further recalled a proposal to spend $10 million on fumigating Rivers State to address mosquito problems, questioning the effectiveness and rationale of the proposed intervention.
The allegations concern projects and transactions associated with the administration of former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi. The figures and claims cited by Wike were not independently established at the meeting, and responses from the individuals concerned were not included in his remarks.
Rainbow Coalition to unveil candidates Tuesday
Wike also announced that the Rainbow Coalition would unveil its candidates on Tuesday, October 27, as the political group prepares to participate in the 2027 elections.
He named Kingsley Chinda as the coalition’s preferred candidate for the Rivers State governorship race, adding that some of its candidates would contest under the APC platform despite the group’s membership cutting across party lines.
“Under the Rainbow Coalition 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.
The minister urged residents to support candidates he described as experienced and committed to public service, while promising that concerns raised by Bonny residents 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 reduced residents’ previous dependence on boat travel.
Wike said he had drawn Tinubu’s attention to the significance of the road for Bonny, arguing that improved connectivity would ease transportation difficulties for residents.
The minister’s remarks combined criticism of opposition figures with appeals for support for Tinubu and the Rainbow Coalition’s candidates, as political actors in Rivers State position themselves for the forthcoming electoral contest.
