Wike Says Obi's Support is Gone, Rules Out Run-off in 2027

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said that Peter Obi's political movement from the 2023 presidential election is no longer relevant. He claimed he has ended the so-called ‘Obi Kererenke’ wave.

Wike spoke during a media chat on Thursday. He dismissed any ideas that opposition parties could seriously challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections or force a run-off.

He called Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, a politician with nothing significant to offer Nigerians. Wike argued that the factors that helped Obi in the last election cannot happen again.

"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 pushed back, saying Wike was underestimating the opposition, he questioned the idea of a run-off. He asked, "Run where? Run-off between who and who?"

Wike argued that Nigerians have already given opposition politicians chances to lead but they have not met expectations. He specifically dismissed Obi’s prospects, saying, "Nigerians know Obi has nothing to offer. He’s a dramatist."

He also questioned whether the excitement from Obi’s 2023 campaign is still there, especially when it comes to financial support from backers.

"How many people are contributing money for Obi today?" he asked, rejecting a journalist's claim that many Nigerians still support the former Anambra State governor.

"That is a lie. You contributed last time, but now you are not contributing. Yes, all of you," Wike said.

He mentioned the electoral success of Senator Ireti Kingibe, who won the Federal Capital Territory senatorial seat on the Labour Party ticket in 2023. He said her win was more about the political wave at that time than any solid party structure.

"But that wave, now, let her win again now," he said.

Wike acknowledged that former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso is popular but doubted his political reach outside Kano State. He pointed out that while Kwankwaso won Kano in the 2023 presidential election, his results in other northern states were concerning.

"You talk about Kwankwaso, my friend, I agree. He’s very popular. But he ran in 2023. He won Kano, fine. Of all other northern states, what vote did he get?" he asked.

Wike also challenged claims that the North could give a big electoral boost to opposition candidates. He mentioned states like Plateau, Benue, Kogi, Kwara, and Nasarawa.

"Everything must come to us today. To understand when he said North, what about North-Central? For crying out loud, what will happen in Plateau? What will happen in Benue? What will happen in Kogi? What will happen in Kwara? What will happen in Nasarawa? For Christ’s sake, what are we talking about?" he said.

Wike accused former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of not campaigning in Rivers State during the 2023 presidential election. He insisted Atiku cannot expect support there without addressing his past political actions.

He recalled that he had supported voting during the 2023 election, even when some backed Atiku.

"Did Atiku campaign here? He didn’t come. He ran away. Yes," Wike said.

Wike’s comments come as political changes are happening ahead of the 2027 general election. Opposition figures are trying to form a strong platform to challenge Tinubu’s re-election.

Obi, who finished third in the 2023 presidential election, has left the Labour Party and joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress as he gets ready for another run.

His 2023 campaign drew a lot of support from young Nigerians and voters looking for an alternative to the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party. It became well-known for the Obidient movement and the ‘Obi Kererenke’ chant.

Wike, a former Rivers State governor, supported Tinubu in the 2023 election despite being part of the PDP. He got his job as FCT minister after the election.