2027: Wike Mocks Peter Obi’s Humility, Calls Modest Lifestyle Political Gimmick

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticised the modest lifestyle publicly associated with Peter Obi, describing it as a political gimmick allegedly designed to win sympathy and votes ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Wike made the remarks on Tuesday while addressing youths in Rivers State as part of his political engagements ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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The minister took aim at Obi’s visits to internally displaced persons’ (IDP) camps to celebrate his birthdays and his habit of buying roasted corn from roadside vendors, questioning the sincerity of such gestures.

According to Wike, the former Anambra State governor did not demonstrate the same lifestyle during his eight years in office, arguing that his public displays of simplicity had become more prominent because of his presidential ambitions.

“It’s fake. Who are you going to deceive? When you were a governor, you didn’t go to the IDP camp to do your birthday, you didn’t go to buy fuel by yourself, all of a sudden, just because you want to be president you are now going. Who are you going to deceive?” Wike said.

The FCT minister also mocked Obi’s popularity, suggesting that his appeal was largely concentrated on social media rather than reflecting broader political support.

“Make him the president of social media so that he can be going to IDP camps, so that he will be buying corn on the road then you will say oh! Very humble. Humble where?” he asked.

Wike’s comments add to the political exchanges surrounding the 2027 presidential election, as political figures debate the records, public image and electoral prospects of potential contenders.

Obi, the former Anambra governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has maintained a public image associated with personal frugality and grassroots engagement.

Wike’s remarks represent his criticism of that image, which he described as an attempt to appeal to voters ahead of the next presidential contest.