ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticised former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, saying he avoids difficult leadership responsibilities and prefers already-settled situations.
Wike made the remarks on Monday during his monthly media chat in Abuja, while reacting to Obi’s recent claim that Nigeria’s electricity generation could be increased from 5,000 megawatts to 10,000 megawatts if given the opportunity to lead.
According to the FCT minister, true leadership is not about making promises from a distance, but about confronting real-life national challenges head-on.
He argued that Obi’s approach reflects a tendency to prefer “easy wins” rather than engaging with difficult governance problems.
“How you know someone who can do that is how you know someone who can fight challenges. Peter Obi likes food is ready, mama put. I don’t want struggling,” Wike said.
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Wike insisted that leadership requires resilience and the ability to navigate complex economic and infrastructural problems, especially in a country like Nigeria.
“In this country, there are challenges. You must have the capacity to face those challenges. Face the challenges you have; that’s what makes you a leader, that’s what makes you a man. Leadership is not dashing you something,” he said.
The minister also extended his criticism to opposition political parties, describing them as “known liars” who mislead Nigerians with promises of democratic reform.
He specifically mentioned the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), accusing both parties of failing to meet the standards they publicly promote.
According to him, parties that present themselves as alternatives to the ruling establishment have struggled with internal disputes and controversial primaries.
“They said they are the saviour that will come. What has happened now?” Wike asked.
“NDC said we are the new face of democracy. ADC said this kind of party is a party that hasn’t been polluted one day; it is a party that God just brought from the womb.”
Wike further pointed to reported crises during their primaries, saying the disputes exposed contradictions within their claims of transparency.
“What has happened? So dirty. See what has happened in the NDC. As small as they are, they cannot do a primary without protest,” he said.
“Look at ADC, who said it’s a coalition to take over from APC to stop the distortion of democracy. What has happened?”