The camp of the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, have engaged in a fresh war of words over comments made by the former Anambra State governor about the poor state of public schools in the FCT.
Wike had, during the commissioning of newly constructed roads in Mabushi District, Abuja, dismissed Obi’s comments, describing him as a “social media president” who was more interested in seeking sympathy online than addressing real issues.
“I hear one of the social media presidential candidates went to a local authority school and said the government has abandoned public schools. His name is Mr. Peter Obi. It’s not everything you must play politics with,” Wike said.
The minister also questioned Obi’s moral right to criticise any administration, alleging that he failed to complete major infrastructure projects while serving as Anambra governor.
“Peter Obi, you were governor for eight years. If you had finished all the jobs, nobody would be talking about developing Anambra by now. Instead of developing Anambra, you put the money in the bank where you have an interest, looking for profit while the state suffered,” he claimed.
Responding, Obi’s media aide and National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, said Wike’s constant attacks were only attempts to remain relevant in national discourse.
“Let me tell you something. How will Wike sell his market if he doesn’t mention Peter Obi?” Tanko said. “As I am talking to you, you need to see the mammoth crowd we have in our town hall meeting here in Nnewi (Anambra State). Wike is the least of our worries now. We are meeting all our unit commanders in Anambra, and everyone is responding in an orderly manner.”
Tanko defended Obi’s assessment of the FCT schools, insisting that the Labour Party leader only highlighted genuine decay in public infrastructure.
“Obi has done nothing wrong. I was there on the ground and saw those dilapidated buildings. We also visited a clinic where only one nurse was on duty. Even the roads to the place are not easily accessible. What Obi did was simply to point out public facilities in dire need of attention. Wike needs to face that reality and do his job,” he said.
Wike, however, maintained that his two years as FCT minister had yielded more results than Obi’s eight years as governor, adding, “Compare what we have done in two years in the FCT to what you did in eight years in Anambra. Can you really say you love this country? Certainly not.”
He further accused Obi of lacking political stability and leadership capacity, saying, “You ran for President under a party you could not even manage. You couldn’t hold your party together, yet you want to lead a country of over 200 million people. It’s not available for people like you.”