- Wike accused Obi of engaging in performative politics
- He questioned Obi’s ability to lead Nigeria
- Wike defended the removal of the fuel subsidy
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticised the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, accusing him of engaging in politics aimed at winning public sympathy rather than demonstrating effective leadership.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that Wike made the remarks during his monthly media briefing on Tuesday, where he questioned Obi’s suitability to lead the country.
The former Rivers State governor said his opinion was based on personal knowledge of Obi’s leadership record, insisting that he was familiar with the former Anambra State governor beyond the public image presented to Nigerians.
According to Wike, he does not believe in actions designed to impress the public solely for political gain, stressing that leadership should be measured by performance rather than popularity.
He also criticised Obi’s visits to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps and orphanages during personal celebrations, describing such outings as political image-building exercises instead of genuine humanitarian gestures.
Wike maintained that he never adopted such approaches while serving as governor, adding that public office should not be used to attract sympathy or political support through symbolic activities.
Speaking on the country’s economic challenges, the FCT minister defended the Federal Government’s decision to remove the fuel subsidy, saying difficult reforms require leaders with the courage to make unpopular but necessary decisions.
He argued that Nigeria’s long-standing economic problems could not be resolved within a short period, noting that issues that developed over many years should not be expected to disappear within a year.
Wike added that no policy decision is entirely free from criticism, but effective leadership is defined by the willingness to take decisive action in the country’s interest, even when such decisions are difficult.
