Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe at former Anambra State governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, alleging that he lacks the courage and capacity to confront Nigeria’s challenges.
Wike claimed that Obi would flee to Cameroon rather than tackle the country’s problems if elected president, contrasting him with President Bola Tinubu, whom he praised for taking difficult decisions to address the nation’s challenges.
The minister spoke on Tuesday at the Abaji Area Council Rainbow Coalition and Stakeholders’ Meeting in Abuja, where he urged FCT residents to support Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
He argued that Nigeria needed a leader willing to take responsibility and confront difficult situations rather than engage in political theatrics and public relations.
Wike also challenged political leaders in Abaji to translate their professed support for Tinubu into votes at the polling-unit and ward levels, insisting that electoral performance would determine his assessment of their leadership.
Addressing the council chairman, councillors and other stakeholders, he said he expected them to deliver their respective wards for the President in the 2027 general elections.
“Let me repeat what I said yesterday. To the people of Abaji, through their chairman, councillors and leaders, you come from different wards. You have told me you will vote for Tinubu. I have no problem with that. I want to see it,” he said.
The minister further challenged the FCT to outperform Rivers State in delivering electoral support for Tinubu, declaring that he would deploy the same political mobilisation strategy in Abuja.
“Nobody is competing with Rivers. I don’t know what you all think. The only people who are going to compete with Rivers are the FCT. Whatever I will do there, I will do it here. So make sure you beat Rivers,” he added.
Wike called on traditional rulers, women, youths and political stakeholders to mobilise voters across the six area councils, stressing the need to secure victory for Tinubu in every ward and polling unit.
He also criticised FCT residents over their voting choices in the 2023 elections, alleging that they elected political representatives who had failed to maintain contact with their constituents or address their concerns after assuming office.
“You went and elected somebody you don’t know. Is it not correct? Have you seen the person again? Has he come to address you? Has he asked you what your problems are? Has he moved anything that will affect the interest of the FCT?” he asked.
The minister urged residents to evaluate political office holders based on accessibility, performance and tangible contributions to development rather than political propaganda.
He disclosed that he would meet with FCT youths on Wednesday to discuss political mobilisation and issues affecting their participation in the forthcoming elections.
Wike also assured stakeholders that preparations for the Rainbow Coalition’s mobilisation activities were underway, expressing confidence in its ability to secure electoral support for Tinubu.
On infrastructure, he reiterated his commitment to addressing Abaji’s electricity challenges before the 2027 elections, directing the area council chairman to intensify efforts towards restoring power supply.
He urged residents to hold political aspirants accountable for the development challenges facing their communities, insisting that those seeking their votes must demonstrate a willingness to address them.
Wike described the Abaji engagement as the final meeting in his tour of the six FCT area councils ahead of the 2027 elections, adding that he would return to assess residents’ satisfaction with the progress made.
He expressed confidence in Tinubu’s re-election prospects, dismissing the opposition’s chances of frustrating the coalition’s mobilisation efforts.