Wike Mocks Obi, Says He “Ran Away” During LP Crisis

By Abah Margaret

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has criticised former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, accusing him of lacking the leadership capacity to handle internal party crises.

Wike made the remarks on Sunday while addressing delegates at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 2026 National Convention held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja. He drew a comparison between Obi’s political decisions and the recent defection of some PDP governors to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to Wike, effective leadership demands courage, firmness and commitment, qualities he claimed were absent among the defecting governors and Obi.

“Leadership is not an easy task. It requires courage, firmness and commitment,” Wike said.

He argued that both Obi and the defecting governors failed to demonstrate the resilience expected of leaders in times of crisis.

“What you see from the governors who have left is a clear indication that they lack leadership traits. I liken them to the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party,” he stated.

Wike further alleged that Obi abandoned the Labour Party despite benefiting from its platform during his presidential ambition.

“The Labour Party gave him a platform when he wanted to be president. But when crisis came, it was time for him to show leadership. Instead, he ran away because he could not solve problems,” Wike said.

Drawing parallels with PDP governors who recently defected, the minister said their actions also reflected a lack of vision and courage.

“When our governors needed a platform, they became governors under the party. But when challenges arose, instead of standing firm, they walked away. That shows who can truly lead in difficult times,” he added.

Peter Obi, who came third in the 2023 presidential election behind President Bola Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, left the Labour Party in 2025 and joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

He is currently a prominent figure in a growing opposition coalition on the ADC platform, alongside Atiku Abubakar, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi. The coalition is widely seen as positioning itself to challenge President Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.