“You’ll Keep Contesting on Social Media” — Wike Mocks Obi

Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe at the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, accusing him of playing politics with public sympathy and seeking relevance through social media theatrics.

Wike made the remark on Thursday during the inauguration of newly constructed roads in Mabushi District, Abuja. His comment followed Obi’s recent criticism of the deplorable condition of the LEA Primary School, Kapwa, which the former Anambra governor described as “a national disgrace.”

But Wike, clearly unimpressed, said Obi had no moral standing to lecture anyone on governance, alleging that he failed to transform Anambra State during his eight-year tenure.

> “I hear one of the social media presidential candidates went to a local school and said government has abandoned public education. His name is Mr. Peter Obi. It is not everything you must play politics with,” Wike said.



The minister challenged Obi’s performance record, insisting that his own two years in the FCT had outshined Obi’s eight years as governor.

> “Mr. Peter Obi, compare what we’ve done in two years in the FCT with what you did in Anambra in eight years. Can you really say you love this country? Certainly not,” he declared.



Wike further mocked Obi’s political structure, claiming the Labour Party lacked cohesion and that the ex-governor was unfit to lead a complex nation like Nigeria.

> “You will continue to contest as President on social media, but not as President of Nigeria. You couldn’t even manage a small party, yet you want to manage a country of over 200 million people — it’s not available for people like you,” Wike added.



Obi had on Wednesday expressed disappointment at the state of public schools in the FCT, saying many pupils lacked chairs, toilets, and basic learning facilities. He described the situation as a “betrayal of Nigeria’s promise to its children.”

Wike’s remarks have since sparked heated reactions across social media, with supporters of both political heavyweights engaging in a fierce war of words over who truly represents good governance.