The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has lashed out at Peter Obi, the former Labour Party presidential candidate, over his recent criticisms of public school conditions in Abuja.
Obi, during a visit to LEA Primary School in Kapwa, Abuja, decried the poor infrastructure in FCT schools, labeling it a national embarrassment and a sign of Nigeria’s weak commitment to education.
The visit coincided with his birthday, which he marked among displaced persons, a move that has now drawn sharp reactions from Wike.
Speaking at the inauguration of newly constructed roads in the capital, Wike dismissed Obi’s remarks, accusing him of using emotional optics to gain political mileage ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Mr. Peter Obi, we came into office just two years ago, not even four,” Wike said.
“You were governor for eight years. If I were you, I would keep quiet. Enough is enough.”
The FCT minister was particularly critical of Obi’s decision to celebrate his birthday at an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, suggesting that such gestures were politically motivated.
“You don’t become president by visiting IDP camps for birthdays,” Wike said pointedly.
“Did you celebrate your birthdays in IDP camps when you were governor of Anambra? Now that you want to be president, suddenly every birthday is with the less privileged. Who are you trying to deceive?”
Wike also hinted at plans to unveil his administration’s efforts to upgrade public schools in the FCT next week.
He accused Obi of spreading propaganda and warned against politicising every issue.
In a final jab, Wike questioned Obi’s leadership capabilities, saying:
“He couldn’t even manage the party under which he contested. He will keep contesting on social media, but he will not be president of Nigeria.”
