Wike Explains Why He Backed Tinubu Over Peter Obi in 2023 Election

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has explained why he did not support Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi in the 2023 general election. Speaking during a media chat in Abuja on Friday, Wike said Obi had no realistic chance of winning the election, adding that his decision to back Bola Ahmed Tinubu was based on political calculation rather than sentiment.

Wike, who served as the Governor of Rivers State before his ministerial appointment, dismissed the idea of supporting what he called “social media candidates,” noting that online popularity does not translate to electoral success. “He had no chance of winning the election. You people like this kind of social media candidate. I don’t do social media candidates. I sit down as a politician and analyse candidates who are likely to win an election,” Wike said.

President Tinubu, the eventual winner of the February 2023 election, defeated both Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party and Peter Obi of the Labour Party. In August 2023, Tinubu appointed Wike as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.