The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has sparked major controversy after taking a swipe at former presidential candidate Peter Obi, insisting that Obi has no chance of ever becoming Nigeria‘s president. Wike’s fiery remarks have since gone viral, attracting heated debates across social media platforms.
Wike made these statements in a strongly worded address shared on Sunday, as seen in a post by social media user @ChuksEricE on X (formerly known as Twitter). The statement came while he was speaking at a church thanksgiving service, where he also addressed Nigeria’s political future and the upcoming 2027 general elections.
During his remarks, Wike criticized the recent efforts by opposition leaders to form a coalition aimed at unseating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027. He first targeted former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, dismissing his moral standing to comment on national issues. According to Wike, Aregbesola failed to improve critical sectors during his time in office, particularly the issuance of international passports.
“These are the same people that want to rescue Nigeria. You were the minister of interior but under you, the international passport — people would spend weeks, months, even years before they could get one,” Wike said, drawing laughter and reactions from the audience.
Shifting his attention to Peter Obi, Wike dismissed his chances of ever leading Nigeria, strongly criticizing his record as a former governor of Anambra State. “For eight years, he was governor, and he didn’t conduct a single local government election. Never. Only you, governor of all the local governments,” Wike argued, questioning Obi’s democratic credentials.
He further lambasted Obi for his frequent switches between political parties over the years, painting him as inconsistent and opportunistic. “In 1999, you were in the party. In 2006, you were in another party. In 2014, you moved to another party. In 2019, you came back to another one. In 2025, you’re moving again—to rescue who?” Wike asked rhetorically, suggesting that Obi’s constant political realignments show a lack of firm ideology or loyalty.
Wike concluded his remarks with a pointed message to Obi’s supporters, urging them to re-examine their loyalty: “Let’s tell ourselves the truth. Some of you are fighting for somebody you don’t even know,” he added, emphasizing that many supporters were blindly following a figure he believes cannot deliver on promises.
The viral video capturing Wike’s comments has since triggered a flood of reactions online, with many Nigerians criticizing his choice of venue and questioning the appropriateness of making political statements on the church altar. Others defended Wike, agreeing with his assessment of Obi’s political history.
See some reactions below:
@de_godfella: “Nah, for church? Is he a spokesman or a Minister for Chris sake.”
@Noble_man002: “From where to where?? Wetin concern politics matters for House of God?”
@AdaIgbo00: “Wike, rest. You were never the standard, just noise on repeat.”
@Statesman1010: “Anglican Church is a very useless denomination for always giving Wike their Altar to talk politics.”
@Eusebuiskay: “This is why the ADC just have to get it right and give Peter Obi the ticket. They know it will be game over once he gets the ticket.”
@chisomincrease: “Pastors letting men like this to mount their pulpit and spill gibberish are a shame to priesthood. He came for Thanksgiving, thank God and leave.”
@Itswell2023: “Which pastor would allow this man at his altar to be speaking rubbish? This cannot be the altar of God. Shame on the pastor. God abeg oh.”
@amih_philip: “I blame the priest for allowing this criminal talk politics at the pulpit. And congregation still sitting listening to this CRIMINAL… Wike, how did you become so wealthy?”
Many social media users have also raised concerns over the growing trend of politicians using religious platforms for political propaganda, calling for a clearer separation between religion and politics in Nigeria.
[b]WATCH VIDEO: [/b>
“Peter Obi can never be president again; his time has passed. He’s now saying that democracy is no longer working in Nigeria because he’s no longer in power, but when he was Governor of Anambra, democracy was working.”
-Wike continues to lament today in church over the ADC… pic.twitter.com/Uji86pRZxA
— CHUKS 🍥 (@ChuksEricE) July 6, 2025