The camp of Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has responded to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, after he referred to Obi as a “social media president.”
National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, stated that the movement is unfazed by Wike’s remarks, claiming the minister constantly mentions Obi just to remain in public discourse.
“Let me tell you something. How will Wike sell his market if he doesn’t mention Peter Obi?” Tanko said. “As I am talking to you, you need to see the mammoth crowd we have in our town hall meeting here in Nnewi (Anambra State). Wike is the least of our worries now. We are meeting all our unit commanders in Anambra, and everyone is responding in an orderly manner.”
Tanko also defended Obi’s recent comments on the condition of public schools in the FCT, stressing that Obi was only drawing attention to neglected public infrastructure.
“Obi has done nothing wrong. I was there on the ground and saw those dilapidated buildings. We also visited a clinic where only one nurse was on duty. Even the roads to the place are not easily accessible. What Obi did was simply to point out public facilities in dire need of attention. Wike needs to face that reality and do his job,” he said.
Wike, during the commissioning of roads in Mabushi District, Abuja, dismissed Obi’s criticisms and accused him of exploiting national issues for political traction.
He said, “I hear one of the social media presidential candidates went to a local authority school and said the government has abandoned public schools. His name is Mr. Peter Obi. It’s not everything you must play politics with.”
Wike maintained that his two-year tenure as FCT minister had yielded more tangible achievements than Obi’s eight years as governor, stating, “Compare what we have done in two years in the FCT to what you did in eight years in Anambra. Can you really say you love this country? Certainly not.”
He went further to label Obi a failed party leader and inconsistent politician, adding that “you will continue to contest as President on social media, but not as President of Nigeria.”