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 manage internal party crises.
Wike made the remarks while addressing delegates at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 2026 National Convention held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium on Sunday in Abuja.
He questioned Obi’s decision to leave the Labour Party amid its internal challenges, drawing parallels with some PDP governors who recently defected.
“Leadership is not an easy task. Leadership requires courage. Leadership requires firmness. Leadership requires commitment,” Wike said.
He added, “The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, was given a platform to lead.
”When crisis came in the Labour Party, he ran away because he could not solve problems.
”The same thing applies to some governors who abandoned their positions amid challenges.
”This shows who can truly stand during crises.”
Obi, who contested the 2023 presidential election under the Labour Party and finished third behind President Bola Tinubu of the APC, defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in 2025.
His move coincides with the emergence of a coalition platform aimed at challenging Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, including prominent political figures such as Atiku Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rotimi Amaechi.
Wike praised the resilience of PDP members amid internal party crises, emphasizing that the party would continue to uphold inclusiveness and unity.
He stated that the PDP would recover its mandate from those who attempted to undermine it.
“The PDP has not come here to mourn itself; it has come here to renew itself. Today is a moment of reflection, responsibility, and renewal,” Wike said.
The FCT Minister’s remarks highlight the ongoing political realignments in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 elections, with major parties consolidating leadership and preparing for the national contest.
