According to a report by Nigerian Tribune on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, said Nyesom Wike appeared happier and more energetic during the period they worked together.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, made the observation while reflecting on his relationship with Wike, who previously served as governor of Rivers State and is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Although the two politicians currently belong to different political camps, Obi maintained that their political disagreements have not changed his personal relationship with the FCT minister.
The former Anambra governor referred to photographs from the period when they worked closely together, saying the images appeared to show a more lively and cheerful Wike.
According to Obi, Wike seemed to be enjoying himself more at the time because of the close working relationship they shared.
He suggested that the photographs from their time together portrayed a different side of the FCT minister compared with his present appearance.
“Well, if you look at the photos of Mr. Wike when we were together, you can see how healthy and well he looked. This indicates that during our time together, he was a much happier person and was enjoying himself.”
Obi made the comment against the backdrop of the political differences that have emerged between him and Wike in recent years.
Wike, who served as Rivers State governor from 2015 to 2023, remains an influential figure in Nigerian politics and currently serves as a minister under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Despite their political differences and affiliations, Obi said he has no personal grievances against Wike.
The former Anambra State governor stressed that their friendship remains intact, irrespective of their political disagreements or the different political camps they currently belong to.
Obi also reflected on the relationship between material wealth and happiness, arguing that financial prosperity and the possession of material things do not automatically guarantee genuine happiness.
According to him, a person’s level of wealth should not necessarily be regarded as a measure of how happy or fulfilled the individual is.
“But let me assure you, I don’t have anything against Mr Wike. He remains a friend and everything. Sometimes, you can have too much money and everything, but you don’t have happiness.”