The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, will never emerge as Nigeria’s president.

Speaking on Sunday, during a thanksgiving service marking the completion of FCT projects at St. James Anglican Church in Asokoro, Abuja, Wike accused many of Obi’s supporters of backing him out of emotion rather than a sound understanding of his record.

“They say Peter Obi will be president—president where?” Wike queried. “Out of emotion, most of you are just following someone you don’t know. For eight years, Obi was a governor but he never conducted local government elections. Now he is saying democracy is not working, but it worked in his time.”

He further alleged that Obi centralized power while serving as Anambra State governor: “Only Obi was governor and chairman of all the local governments in Anambra State at the same time. The time has passed; he won’t have the opportunity again.”

Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, also commended President Bola Tinubu for focusing on results and appointing individuals committed to development, especially in the FCT.

“We are contributing our own quota, and it is left for the people to judge our performance. We will continue to work hard to improve on what Mr. President has promised FCT residents and Nigerians in general,” he said.

Referencing remarks made by the church’s vicar, Ben Idume, Wike added that “everybody can attest to the changes Mr. President has introduced in the FCT.”