Rescue Yourself From ‘Political Wilderness,’ Wike’s Aide Blasts Obi

The Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, Lere Olayinka, has urged the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to “rescue himself from the political wilderness” rather than seeking constant media attention through criticism.

Olayinka stated this on Thursday, in response to Obi’s recent comments on the state of public schools in the FCT.

The former Anambra State governor had, during his visit to LEA Primary School in Kapwa, Abuja, described the deplorable state of the school as “a national disgrace” that exposes Nigeria’s “hollow commitment to education.”

However, in a rebuttal, Olayinka stated that Obi had no moral standing to criticise the FCT Administration and claimed that the Wike-led government is delivering “real and verifiable development”.

“In the FCT, real and verifiable development is taking place. Seventy-three schools are presently being renovated across the six Area Councils in the FCT, while 21 have been completely renovated,” he stated

While acknowledging that some schools in the FCT still require government attention, Olayinka said the administration has made significant progress in rehabilitating educational infrastructure.

He further said, “Unlike Obi, who did nothing to uplift the education sector as governor of Anambra State, the Wike-led FCTA has been building and renovating schools.

“A total of 102 contracts have been awarded for the renovation of schools, and as of today, 21 have been fully completed while work continues in others.”

The minister’s aide challenged Obi to show Nigerians tangible evidence of his developmental record in Anambra, while claiming that his administration left little to show despite holding office for eight years.

“If as governor of Anambra State, he had performed the same magic he claims he can perform in four years, Anambra would have become a reference point for development. Instead, he chose to keep the state’s money in his own bank instead of using it to build schools, roads, and hospitals,” Olayinka said.

Describing Obi as an “Internally Displaced Politician (IDP)” and a “political wanderer,” Olayinka questioned the former governor’s future political prospects.

He said, “It is funny that someone who should be worried about not having a platform to contest the 2027 election has turned himself into a political wanderer.

“Under which party is Mr. One Shoe contesting the 2027 presidential election? Will any party still hand him its ticket simply because he can lie about having one shoe and one wristwatch?”

Olayinka insisted that the FCT Administration, under the leadership of Nyesom Wike, remains focused on delivering projects that directly impact residents, including in the education sector.