2027: Wike Mocks Obi’s Supporters, Urges Nigerians To Back Tinubu For Second Term

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe at Peter Obi and his supporters, suggesting that they could elect the former Anambra State governor as the “president of social media” ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Wike made the remarks on Wednesday during a political stakeholders’ forum in Abuja, where he questioned the credibility of political figures and urged Nigerians to support leaders he described as honest and straightforward.

The minister, while addressing supporters of different political interests, criticised what he portrayed as a preference for online popularity over practical leadership and governance.

“You can vote for Peter Obi as president of social media. Why do you like people who are fake? People who are not real? We prefer a president that will tell us this is white and it is white,” Wike said.

Wike also defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to remove the fuel subsidy, arguing that successive administrations had acknowledged the problems associated with the policy but lacked the political will to end it.

He maintained that although the removal had contributed to the rising cost of living, Nigerians could begin to experience relief once the government’s economic reforms became fully established.

“We agree that the cost of things are a bit high. By the time the reform is stabilized, the cost of living will come down. That is the sacrifice of removing the fuel subsidy,” the minister stated.

Wike further argued that the Tinubu administration’s policies had improved the financial position of state governments, claiming that governors were no longer relying on bank loans in the manner he described as common previously.

He also cited the absence of university strikes during the administration’s first three years as an indication of progress, while acknowledging that the government had not resolved every challenge facing the country.

“We cannot say that this administration has solved every problem, no. But within the three years they have come, they have solved a lot of problems,” he added.

Speaking about developments in the FCT, Wike praised Tinubu’s administration for what he described as improvements in governance, employment structures, youth representation and security.

According to the minister, the territory now has a Head of Service, a Civil Service Commission and permanent secretaries, alongside designated officials responsible for youth-related affairs.

He also said the administration had constructed 12 new police stations with residential facilities for officers as part of efforts to strengthen security. Wike added that the six area councils in the FCT had benefited from road projects intended to improve access to communities.

The minister also announced that the Apo-Karshi Road, which he said was awarded in 2010, was expected to be commissioned in November. He further disclosed that at least six projects in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) were scheduled for commissioning in December.

Wike urged residents of the FCT to support Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, arguing that the administration’s completed and ongoing projects should form the basis of its campaign.

“Our campaign is our project. Our campaign is to tell you what we have done. Our campaign is that if you give us the support, we will do more,” he said.

His comments add to the growing political exchanges ahead of the 2027 elections, as supporters of different parties continue to debate the government’s economic policies, record in office and competing presidential ambitions.