The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe at former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi over his recent criticism of the condition of public schools in Abuja.
Gatekeepers News reports that Obi had visited LEA Primary School in Kapwa, Abuja, where he described the school’s poor state as a national disgrace and a reflection of Nigeria’s weak commitment to education.
Reacting on Thursday during the inauguration of newly constructed roads in the FCT, Wike dismissed Obi’s comments and accused him of grandstanding ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Mr Peter Obi, we just came into office two years ago. We haven’t even spent four years. But you — you were governor for eight years. If I were you, I’d keep quiet. Enough is enough,” Wike said.
The minister criticised Obi’s humanitarian visits, claiming they were politically motivated.
“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’re committed to change,” he said.
“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 said his administration is already taking steps to upgrade public schools across the FCT and promised to showcase its efforts next week.
He accused Obi of “propaganda and politicising everything,” insisting that governance should not be reduced to populist gestures.
The minister also mocked Obi’s political prospects, claiming the former Anambra governor “will continue to contest on social media, but not as President of Nigeria.”
Wike further questioned Obi’s leadership capacity, saying he “couldn’t even manage the party under which he ran for president.”
As of press time, Obi had not publicly responded to Wike’s remarks.
