Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has fired back at the former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi’s criticism of Rivers State’s local government election, questioning Obi’s moral authority to comment on governance issues.
Speaking during an interview with Channels TV from 2:08, Wike directly challenged Obi’s criticism of what the former presidential candidate had termed “rascality” in the Rivers election process. “Peter Obi—he talks about rascality. Who can be more of a rascal than him? Obi became governor. He was governor of Anambra for eight years. He conducted local government elections just two months before leaving office. Two months—after eight years as governor. Does he have what it takes to comment on the conduct of an election that was properly done and backed by law?” Wike demanded.
The FCT Minister cited specific examples from Obi’s tenure as Anambra State governor to undermine his critic’s credibility. “When Obi was governor, doctors were on strike for 13 whole months; hospitals were shut down for thirteen good months! I wish people were aware of this. So what do you mean by ‘rascality’? Who’s more of a rascal?” he questioned.
Wike suggested that critics of the Rivers election are motivated by financial considerations rather than genuine democratic concerns. According to the minister, their anger stems from losing access to state-level funding opportunities that are no longer available to them.
The FCT Minister dismissed the legitimacy of critics entirely, arguing they lack both the capacity and moral standing to comment on the electoral process.
