In a heated exchange that underscores the deepening rifts within Nigeria's political landscape, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has unleashed a scathing critique against Peter Obi, the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP). The confrontation, which unfolded on Thursday during the inauguration of several new roads in Abuja, centers on Obi's recent inspection of a dilapidated public school in the capital city. Wike's remarks, delivered with uncharacteristic bluntness, not only dismissed Obi's observations as opportunistic politicking but also revisited the Labour Party stalwart's much-publicized birthday celebrations among Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). This verbal showdown highlights the ongoing tensions between the two prominent figures, both of whom hail from the southeastern region but represent divergent paths in Nigeria's turbulent political arena.
The controversy ignited earlier this week when Peter Obi, a 62-year-old former governor of Anambra State, made an unannounced visit to LEA Primary School in Kapwa, a suburb of Abuja. What he encountered there left him visibly shaken, prompting a public outcry that has now drawn Wike's ire. Obi described the school's conditions as "deeply troubling" and outright "inhumane," painting a vivid picture of neglect that affects over 200 young learners daily. In a statement shared across social media platforms, Obi detailed the glaring deficiencies: classrooms stripped bare of functional furniture, leaving pupils to sit on the bare floor; no chairs even for teachers, who are forced to improvise with makeshift stools; and a complete absence of toilets, forcing children to relieve themselves in open fields under the scorching sun. "This is not education; this is a denial of basic human dignity," Obi lamented, emphasizing that such environments stifle learning and perpetuate cycles of poverty in one of Nigeria's most affluent urban centers.
Obi's visit was part of his broader post-2023 election campaign to spotlight governance failures across the country. As the LP's flagbearer in the contentious February 2023 presidential poll—where he secured over 6 million votes but finished third behind Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar—Obi has positioned himself as a champion of the "Obidient" movement, advocating for transparency, fiscal prudence, and equitable resource allocation. His critique of the FCT school aligns with this narrative, as Abuja, under federal oversight, symbolizes the nation's developmental priorities. Critics of the current administration, including Obi supporters, have long argued that while billions of naira are funneled into infrastructure like roads and flyovers, basic social services like education remain woefully underfunded. According to recent data from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), over 10 million Nigerian children are out of school, with public facilities in urban areas like Abuja suffering from chronic underinvestment despite the FCT's substantial budgetary allocations—over ₦1 trillion in the 2024 federal budget alone.
Enter Nyesom Wike, the no-nonsense former governor of Rivers State, who assumed office as FCT Minister in August 2023 under President Tinubu's administration. Speaking at the flag-off ceremony for the reconstruction of key roads in the Maitama and Garki districts—projects valued at over ₦20 billion—Wike wasted no time in countering Obi's narrative. Flanked by cheering supporters and local dignitaries, the minister's tone was a mix of defensiveness and derision. "Mr. Peter Obi, we just came into office two years ago. We haven’t even completed four years," Wike retorted, directly referencing the timeline of Tinubu's tenure. He then pivoted sharply to Obi's own gubernatorial record: "But you—you were governor for eight years!" This pointed reminder underscores a core element of Wike's attack: accusing Obi of selective amnesia and hypocrisy.
Wike's broadside extended far beyond the school visit, zeroing in on Obi's annual birthday rituals, which have become a hallmark of his public persona. On July 19, 2023, coinciding with his 62nd birthday, Obi chose to mark the occasion not with lavish parties but by donating ₦5 million in cash alongside crates of food items—rice, beans, and garri—to IDP camps in Plateau State. The gesture, captured in viral videos showing Obi mingling with displaced families amid tales of Boko Haram insurgency and farmer-herder clashes, earned widespread acclaim from admirers who hailed it as authentic empathy. International media outlets like BBC and Al Jazeera covered it positively, framing Obi as a leader who "walks the talk" on poverty alleviation. Yet, Wike dismissed it as performative theater. "If I were you, I would keep quiet. Enough is enough," he thundered. "You can’t become president of Nigeria just by going to IDP camps for birthday celebrations. Who is interested in that? Doing your birthday in an IDP camp doesn’t mean you love Nigeria or that you are committed to change."
The minister's rhetoric grew even more personal, probing Obi's motives with surgical precision. "When you were governor in Anambra, why didn’t you celebrate birthdays in IDP camps? Now that you want to be president, every birthday is with the less privileged. Who are you trying to deceive?" Wike asked, eliciting applause from the crowd. This line of attack taps into a broader debate about political authenticity in Nigeria, where gestures by opposition figures are often scrutinized for electoral opportunism. During his 2006-2014 tenure in Anambra, Obi did implement reforms like free education and infrastructure upgrades, earning praise from bodies like the World Bank. However, Wike's camp argues that Obi's IDP visits— a tradition he began post-2023—emerged only after his presidential bid gained traction, suggesting a calculated rebranding from "business mogul" to "people's champion."
Defending his administration's record, Wike outlined concrete steps to address the school crisis. "We have already begun improving the condition of public schools in the FCT," he assured, revealing that renovation projects at over 20 facilities, including Kapwa, are underway with a ₦15 billion allocation from the 2024 budget. "Ongoing works will be showcased soon—watch and see," he promised, urging Obi to visit again in six months for a "reality check." This proactive stance aligns with Wike's aggressive development agenda since taking office; in just over a year, his ministry has commissioned 15 road networks, two hospitals, and green initiatives, transforming Abuja's skyline and earning him the moniker "Mr. Projects."
Wike didn't stop at policy rebuttals; he escalated to outright mockery of Obi's leadership credentials. Accusing him of "spreading propaganda," the minister called on politicians to cease weaponizing governance for "political gain." In a particularly barbed jab, Wike quipped: "Someone who cannot manage the party he used to run now wants to manage a country. He will continue to contest on social media but not as president of Nigeria." This alludes to the Labour Party's internal turmoil post-2023, including factional disputes and Obi's strained relations with party chairman Julius Abure, whom he has publicly criticized for alleged financial improprieties.
The feud's ripple effects are already evident. Obi's supporters, the vocal "Obidients," have flooded X (formerly Twitter) with counter-narratives, trending hashtags like #WikeLies and sharing before-and-after photos of Anambra schools under Obi. Meanwhile, pro-Wike groups defend his "results-oriented" approach, circulating videos of FCT transformations. Analysts see this as a proxy battle ahead of the 2027 elections, with Obi positioning for another LP run and Wike consolidating his role as Tinubu's enforcer in the southeast.
As Nigeria grapples with 40% inflation, insecurity, and educational decay—evidenced by the 2024 ASUU strike— this clash elevates substantive issues. Will Wike's renovations deliver? Can Obi sustain his moral high ground? For now, the verbal volleys continue, reminding Nigerians that politics, like education, demands more than rhetoric—it requires sustained action. With over 200 children still learning on Kapwa's floors, the real winners remain elusive.
