The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has shed light on his decision not to back Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, during Nigeria’s 2023 general elections.
Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, Wike dismissed Obi’s chances at the presidency, describing him as a “social media candidate” without a viable pathway to victory.
“No, he had no chance of winning,” Wike stated. “I don’t align with candidates who are only popular on social media. That’s not how I do politics.”
Wike, a former governor of Rivers State and a prominent figure in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) at the time of the election, emphasized that his political decisions are grounded in strategic assessments rather than sentiment or online trends.
“As a politician, I evaluate who has the capacity and structure to win,” he said, noting that popularity on digital platforms often doesn’t translate into electoral success. “In Nigerian politics, many factors determine outcomes beyond competence or public opinion on social media.”
He also touched on the turbulent conditions surrounding the 2023 polls, referencing the controversial naira redesign policy and widespread fuel scarcity, both of which he said created significant hurdles for candidates.
“It was a stormy path for Tinubu to win that election,” Wike said. “These were policies introduced under the same administration fielding a candidate. Usually, no ruling party would initiate such disruptions during an election cycle.”
Despite those obstacles, Wike applauded President Bola Tinubu for navigating the challenges and ultimately securing victory.
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“You must acknowledge that some people not only have divine favour but also understand the political game. Tinubu showed resilience and strategic acumen,” he remarked.
However, critics have questioned Wike’s narrative, pointing to reports — including a BBC analysis — which suggest that Peter Obi outperformed key candidates in Rivers State before results were allegedly manipulated in favour of the ruling party.
