Obi’s camp lobbied me before 2023 elections-Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has alleged that Peter Obi’s camp, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, made significant efforts to win his support prior to the general elections. Despite these attempts, Wike, who previously served as the Governor of Rivers State, chose not to endorse either Obi or Atiku Abubakar, the candidate from the Peoples Democratic Party, instead backing Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress.

During a luncheon on Saturday in Port Harcourt, held in honor of the 10th Rivers State Assembly, Wike stated that Obi’s team is critical of him due to his refusal to support their candidate. He emphasized that, despite persistent lobbying from Obi’s camp, he remained resolute in his decision.

Wike remarked, “I have no regrets whatsoever about supporting President Bola Tinubu. None at all. What you’re seeing now… There’s Atiku’s faction, Peter Obi’s faction, and a few PDP governors who think I’m a problem for them. I will keep being that problem. Atiku’s camp believes that my team and I hindered their chances of winning the presidency. We opposed injustice and demanded equity and fairness.”

He further stated, “Obi’s group lobbied me extensively. They can’t deny it. I told them, ‘This will not work. Rivers State will not follow a path that doesn’t suit us… it will not succeed.’ There’s a conspiracy at play, and they are retaliating. But in truth, they’re merely fighting among themselves.”

Wike also pointed out that some individuals within the PDP, who are looking toward the party’s presidential nomination for 2027, are scheming against him, but he is confident their efforts will fail. “There’s another conspiracy within the PDP by those eyeing the presidency. They think, ‘If we don’t act now, we’ll have a problem.’ I assure you, they will face difficulties. There’s also a faction within the APC—very influential figures. Together, they will all fail.”

Additionally, Wike clarified that he does not consider the acting PDP National Chairman, Umar Damagum, to be his ally, explaining that his main concern is ensuring that Damagum completes the term of former chairman Iyorcha Ayu. “They say Damagum should step down. I’m not friends with Damagum; he has never supported me. The truth must always be spoken. We agreed that Damagum would finish Ayu’s term. But I’ll tell you why you need to be careful with whom you trust… Those who sat with us and made agreements… I sensed something and thought, ‘This man, I cannot trust you.’”