Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticised former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, describing him as too stingy to become Nigeria's president and questioning his leadership credentials ahead of the 2027 general election.
Wike made the remarks on Saturday, October 24, 2026, during a town hall meeting with political stakeholders in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he also canvassed support for President Bola Tinubu's re-election.
The former Rivers State governor criticised Obi's reputation for frugality, particularly his practice of carrying his own luggage rather than employing an aide to perform such duties.
“As a former governor, you cannot be stingy not to have employed a personal assistant who will carry your bag. You want to show you carry your bag. We don’t want such a stingy person as a president,” Wike said.
He also described Obi as a politician whose popularity was largely concentrated on social media, arguing that online support should not be confused with the ability to govern Nigeria.
“Truly speaking, I gave him president of social media. If you were to vote who will be president of social media, I will vote for him. But if it is to govern Nigeria, it is capital no!” he declared.
Wike questioned Obi's record as governor of Anambra State between 2006 and 2014, urging Nigerians to compare his administration with the performance of the current governor, Chukwuma Soludo.
He maintained that presidential candidates should be assessed on their achievements in public office, political experience and ability to address national challenges rather than their public image.
The minister also criticised politicians who change political parties during internal disagreements, arguing that effective leadership requires confronting difficult situations.
Referring to the crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Wike said he had remained in the party despite internal disputes.
“How will you solve the problem of the country? Did you see when there was a problem in PDP? Did I run? I defeated them,” he said.
Wike further questioned the political leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and expressed reservations about former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
He reaffirmed his support for Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC), defending the administration's economic reforms and urging Rivers residents to support the President in the 2027 election.
Obi, who is contesting the 2027 presidential election under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has frequently presented financial prudence and reduced government expenditure as important elements of his political approach.
His supporters have defended that approach as evidence of fiscal discipline, while critics have questioned whether his spending philosophy provides an adequate basis for assessing his leadership.
Wike's description of Obi as stingy remains a political opinion rather than an independently established assessment of his suitability for public office.
No immediate response from Obi to the latest remarks was established in the reports reviewed.
The exchange comes as political parties and their supporters intensify public debate over governance records, economic management and presidential leadership ahead of the 2027 elections.
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