Presidency: Peter Obi is stingy but I will vote for him on …- Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said he would vote for Peter Obi as “president of social media” but would not support the former Anambra State governor to lead Nigeria.

Wike made the remarks during a town hall meeting with stakeholders in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he criticised Obi’s leadership record and questioned his suitability for the presidency.

“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!” he said.

The FCT minister also mocked Obi over his habit of carrying his own bags, describing the gesture as a sign of stinginess.

“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,” he said.

Wike further challenged Obi’s record as governor of Anambra State, arguing that the performance of the incumbent governor, Chukwuma Soludo, should provide a basis for assessing the former governor’s administration.

He also criticised politicians who abandon their parties during internal disagreements, insisting that leadership requires the ability to confront challenges rather than walk away from them.

“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.

The minister also expressed reservations about the leadership associated with 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 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

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

Turning to the previous administration in Rivers State, Wike urged residents to examine the records of politicians seeking public office rather than rely solely on campaign promises.

He alleged that $39 million was spent on a proposed 1,000-bed Justice Karibi-Whyte Specialist Hospital, claiming that construction had not progressed to 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 said.

Wike also alleged that approximately N60 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 claimed the transaction was valued at $308 million but alleged that only $308,000 remained in the relevant state account when he assumed office in May 2015.

The minister also recalled a proposal to spend $10 million on fumigating Rivers State to tackle mosquito bites, questioning the rationale for the exercise given that the state shares boundaries with several neighbouring states.

Meanwhile, 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 explained that the coalition comprised members of different political parties, including the APC and PDP, and that some of its candidates would contest under the APC platform.

“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,” Wike said.

The minister 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.

He also commended the completion of the Bonny-Bodo Road, saying the project had improved access to the island community and eased the difficulties residents previously faced when travelling by boat.

Wike said he had informed President Tinubu that the road was a significant achievement for the people of Bonny.