ABUJA – Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe at former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, insisting that President Bola Tinubu remains the best leader to move Nigeria forward.
Speaking during his monthly media briefing in Abuja, Wike accused Obi of playing to the emotions of Nigerians through symbolic gestures instead of demonstrating practical leadership.
“I know Peter Obi very well. What I don’t like is people playing to the gallery. I was a governor and I never celebrated my birthday in an IDP camp or a motherless babies’ home simply because I wanted to become president. You don’t govern a country through symbolism,” he said.
The FCT minister also questioned Atiku’s presidential credentials, citing comments allegedly made by the former vice president’s one-time principal.
“You heard what his former boss said about him. The person who should give him the best testimonial is telling Nigerians to be careful. What other recommendation do you need?” Wike asked.
He also criticised television stations for giving airtime to political analysts whom he described as lacking electoral credibility.
“I watch Channels, Arise and others, and I ask myself, who are some of these people commenting on politics? Some of them contested elections and scored zero, yet they are presented as political authorities,” he said.
Wike maintained that while President Tinubu had not solved all of Nigeria’s problems, his administration had shown the courage to take difficult decisions, unlike previous governments.
According to him, Nigerians should judge leaders by their ability to make tough choices and deliver results, not by political grandstanding or carefully staged public appearances.
