The political landscape in Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has been stirred by a heated exchange between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi. The controversy erupted after Obi's recent visit to LEA Primary School in Kapwa, Abuja, where he vehemently criticized the facility's deplorable state. Obi described the school, lacking basic amenities like chairs for teachers, toilets for pupils, and functional classroom furniture, as “deeply troubling” and “inhumane” for over 200 children. He deemed the conditions not conducive for learning, highlighting them as a national disgrace and a reflection of Nigeria’s weak commitment to education.

Minister Wike, speaking on Thursday during the inauguration of newly constructed roads in Abuja, swiftly dismissed Obi’s criticisms as politically motivated “propaganda” and “political showmanship” ahead of the 2027 general elections. Wike questioned Obi’s timing, pointing out that his own administration had only been in office for two years, while Obi had served as governor of Anambra State for eight years. “Mr Peter Obi, we just came into office two years ago. We haven’t even completed four years. But you — you were governor for eight years. If I were you, I would keep quiet. Enough is enough,” Wike stated, accusing Obi of hypocrisy.

Wike further lambasted Obi over his charitable gestures, specifically his practice of celebrating birthdays in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps. Obi, who turned 62 on July 19, 2023, had marked his birthday by donating ₦5 million and food items to IDP camps in Plateau State, a move that garnered both praise and criticism. Wike questioned Obi's sincerity, asking, “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?” He asserted that such gestures do not equate to a genuine love for Nigeria or a commitment to change, nor do they qualify one for the presidency. “You can’t become president of Nigeria just by going to IDP camps for birthday celebrations. Who is interested in that?” Wike remarked.

The FCT Minister insisted that his administration had already initiated interventions to upgrade public schools within the territory and promised to showcase the results of these ongoing renovation projects soon. He accused Obi of politicizing social and humanitarian issues, stressing that genuine service should not be leveraged for political gain. Wike also took a direct jab at Obi's presidential aspirations, questioning his leadership capacity. “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,” Wike declared. As of the time of reporting, Peter Obi had not yet issued a response to Minister Wike's strong remarks.