You nearly made us make a mistake by saying Peter Obi was going to become president - Wike tells Christian leaders

 The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, says Nigeria was practically “dead” before President Bola Tinubu assumed office, arguing that it will take time and tough decisions to bring the country back to life.

Speaking on Sunday, July 6, at Saint James’ Anglican Church, Asokoro, Abuja, where he led some associates for a thanksgiving service to mark the commissioning of 16 projects in the FCT, Wike acknowledged that Nigeria still faces serious challenges but maintained that Tinubu’s administration is making necessary moves to revive the nation.

 
“The country was dead. It takes hard decisions to bring it back to life,” Wike said.
“We are aware that we have challenges. But after just two years of a country that had been run down, we expect a miracle worker? It’s not like a prayer where you say, ‘In the name of God, you are healed,’ and it happens instantly. It doesn’t work that way.”

Wike also cautioned Christian leaders and faithful against repeating what he described as a near-mistake in 2023 by backing Labour Party’s Peter Obi out of sentiment, warning that the choice of president in 2027 must be made with greater scrutiny.
 

“Let me use this opportunity to address the Church — we nearly made the worst mistake in 2023. We must be very careful this time around. It would have been a decision that could have cost some of us our future,” Wike said.


“Ask us questions — we are politicians. Be careful about what we tell you. If you want to understand what’s really going on, call us. Don’t let people use propaganda to blackmail you. Some of you have sympathy for someone you don’t even know. That’s how you nearly made us make a mistake — saying Peter Obi was going to become president. President where?!”
 

The minister took a swipe at Obi, accusing him of lacking genuine democratic credentials.
 

“For eight years, he was governor. He never conducted local government elections. Never. Back then, Nigerians were not angry. They were happy that he refused to conduct elections for eight good years. And you call that democracy?Now you say democracy isn’t working — but it worked when he was running everything alone?”
 

He added:

 

“People who were in power for eight, even 20 years, had the opportunity to bring development to their states but didn’t. Back then, Nigerians were not angry. Now that they’re no longer in power, Nigerians are suddenly angry.

If I say I want to rescue Nigeria, ask me what I did when I had the opportunity. Ask me what I did as governor of Rivers State. I can say, ‘Yes, I did this and that.’ And now, as FCT Minister, I am doing this and that.”