The supporters of Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, have responded strongly to comments made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who referred to Obi as a “social media president.”

In a statement, Obi’s media aide and National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, dismissed Wike’s remarks, suggesting that the minister frequently mentions Obi in an attempt to remain relevant.

“Let me tell you something. How will Wike sell his market if he doesn’t mention Peter Obi?” Tanko said. “As I speak to you, we are holding a large town hall meeting in Nnewi, Anambra State, and the turnout is massive. Wike is the least of our concerns right now. We are meeting our unit commanders across Anambra, and everyone is cooperating in an organized manner.”

Tanko also defended Obi’s recent comments about the poor state of public schools in the FCT, maintaining that the former Anambra governor was only speaking the truth.

“Obi has done nothing wrong. I was there and witnessed the deplorable condition of those schools. We also visited a clinic with only one nurse on duty, and even the access roads were in bad shape. Obi merely pointed out public facilities in desperate need of attention. Wike should face the facts and focus on his work,” he stated.

Wike, during the commissioning of newly constructed roads in Abuja’s Mabushi District on Thursday, had dismissed Obi’s criticisms, accusing him of politicizing national issues.

“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 said.

The minister also questioned Obi’s moral ground to criticize any administration, claiming he failed to complete key infrastructure projects during his eight-year tenure as governor of Anambra State.

“Peter Obi, you were governor for eight years. If you had completed your projects, nobody would still be talking about developing Anambra today. Instead of improving the state, you saved the money in the bank for profit while the people suffered,” Wike alleged.

He further argued that his two years as FCT minister had produced more tangible achievements than Obi’s eight years as governor.

“Compare what we’ve 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 said.

Wike went on to label Obi a failed party leader and unstable politician, saying, “You will continue to run for president on social media, but never as the president of Nigeria. You couldn’t even manage your own party, yet you want to lead a nation of over 200 million people. That’s not possible.”