Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has criticized former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi for his recent comments on the status of public schools in Abuja, saying, “Birthday celebrations in IDP camps won’t make you president.”
Speaking on Thursday at the opening of freshly constructed roads in the city, Wike accused Obi of politicizing social concerns 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,” the minister said.
Earlier this week, Obi had visited LEA Primary School in Kapwa, Abuja, where he lamented the deplorable state of public schools, calling it “a national disgrace” and reflecting the government’s disregard of the education sector.
However, Wike characterized Obi’s critique as hypocritical and politically driven.
“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.
The FCT minister questioned Obi’s genuineness, recalling that the former governor had never held such humanitarian activities while in office.
“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.
The FCT minister questioned Obi’s genuineness, recalling that the former governor had never held such humanitarian activities while in office.
“We are not sleeping. By next week, we’ll show Nigerians what we’ve done in the area of education,” he stated.
Wike also criticized Obi’s leadership qualities, claiming that the Labour Party candidate had failed to govern his own political program.
“You can’t run a party properly, and you want to run a country. You will continue to contest on social media, but not as president of Nigeria,” he said.
