Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed Peter Obi’s chances in the 2027 presidential election, insisting that the political movement that boosted the former Anambra State governor’s performance in 2023 no longer exists.
Wike made the remarks during a media chat on Thursday while dismissing suggestions that opposition parties could pose a serious challenge to President Bola Tinubu or force a run-off in the 2027 election.
He said the political wave popularly associated with Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign, which he referred to as “Obi Kererenke”, had lost its influence.
“All this so-called ‘Obi Kererenke’, it does not exist again. I have killed it. I have killed it,” the minister said.
When a journalist challenged his position, arguing that he was underestimating the opposition, Wike questioned the possibility of a run-off.
“Run where? Run-off between who and who?” he asked.
The minister argued that Nigerians had given opposition politicians opportunities to govern but that they had failed to justify the confidence placed in them.
He also described Obi as a politician with little to offer Nigerians, saying, “Nigerians know Obi has nothing to offer. He’s a dramatist.”
Wike further questioned whether the level of support Obi enjoyed during the 2023 election, particularly financial contributions from supporters, remained the same.
“How many people are contributing money for Obi today?” he asked.
When a journalist suggested that many Nigerians were still supporting the former governor, Wike dismissed the claim.
“That is a lie. You contributed last time, but now you are not contributing. Yes, all of you,” he said.
The FCT minister also cited the victory of Senator Ireti Kingibe, who won the FCT senatorial seat on the Labour Party platform in 2023, arguing that her success was largely driven by the political wave at the time rather than an established party structure.
“But that wave, now, let her win again now,” Wike added.
