Obi is a social media candidate, can not win election – Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has explained why he did not support Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate, during the 2023 general elections.

Speaking in a press briefing on Friday in Abuja, Wike mentioned that he did not believe Obi had a chance of winning the presidential election, describing him as a “social media candidate”.

“No, he has no chance to win the election,” Wike said. “I don’t go to where you see people like this kind of social media candidates. I don’t do social media, candidate.”

The former governor of Rivers State emphasised that as a politician, he focuses on analysing candidates with the capacity to win, rather than those perceived to be popular online.

“I said I see that as a politician, and I analyse the candidate who is likely to win,” he said.

READ ALSO:

• Kyiv receives 909 bodies of Ukrainian soldiers
• APC to Kwankwaso: Apologise to Tinubu, Shettima before joining our party
• Police arrest 3, recover after busting Imo IPOB terror hideout

According to the minister, winning elections in Nigeria involves more than just being the most qualified or popular on social media platforms.

“In politics, it’s not always the right that, oh, this is the best candidate. No, no, no,” he said. “You see Nigerians today; in politics, so many factors come in.”

Wike also referenced the challenges faced during the 2023 elections, including the naira redesign policy and fuel scarcity, which he said created a turbulent environment.

“It was very, very turbulent for Tinubu to get to that election,” Wike stated. “It is a one-party administration. You could see people don’t want to speak the truth before that election.”

Wike applauded the eventual winner of the election, President Bola Tinubu, for navigating the difficulties imposed by administration policies at the time.

“No party in government would at that time bring some policy when you know you’re running an election,” he said. “But everything was done, and he survived. He survived it.”

Wike concluded by acknowledging the political experience and strategy that helped Tinubu emerge victorious.

“So that’s how you know that there are people. First of all, God is on their side. Two, they also know this game. You must give it to them.”

Obi is a social media candidate, can not win election – Wike

APC to Kwankwaso: Apologise to Tinubu, Shettima before joining our party

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has insisted that anyone seeking to join its ranks, including the factional leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, must first publicly apologise for past derogatory remarks made against President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and other party leaders.

Kano State APC Chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, made this known on Friday, stating that while the ruling party is open to welcoming Kwankwaso and other decampees, they must meet certain conditions — chief among them, a public apology.

He emphasised that the APC values loyalty and respect, and would not compromise its principles for political convenience.

“We unequivocally call on all those prospective decampees who have earlier made derogatory statements against our leaders, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his deputy Senator Kashim Shettima, to offer a public apology as a sign of remorse, and respect for future relationships,” Abbas said.

Abbas noted that APC as a political institution in its renewed hope agenda has embarked on the project of receiving decampees from all political parties and the party’s attention was drawn to speculations about Kwankwaso’s impending decampment into the party.

According to him, APC remains Kwankwaso’s last political refuge as he has destroyed his relationships with all other political groupings in the country.

“Without prejudice to our desire as a party to welcome new entrants and in respect of the constitutional rights of citizens to belong to political parties of their choice, we wish to state our position as a state chapter of our great party in Kano state.

READ ALSO:

• Police arrest 3, recover after busting Imo IPOB terror hideout
• Governor Sani reduces Kaduna tertiary tuition by 50%
• Governor Sani reduces Kaduna tertiary tuition by 50%

“We have already directed our ward chapters to open registers for new decampees irrespective of their political and social status, in line with our party’s constitution.

“We advise all those desirous of joining our esteemed party to go to their respective wards and register.

“For the purpose of seeking any future party or elective position, any old or new entrants, shall be free to exercise their constitutional rights of voting or being voted for without any special preference.

“We are fully aware that some people are desperate to join the APC because they have scuttled their political goodwill and have become political lepers in the national scheme of things and are looking to the APC for political relevance.

“We are also aware that some politicians are trying to run away from accounting for their corrupt misdeeds both in government and party administration, and seeking for refuge in the APC to escape from the fangs of anti-corruption agencies like the EFCC and ICPC.

“However, joining APC as a political party is not a panacea for escaping from their past sins.

“For the avoidance of doubt, let me emphasize that the APC as a political party does not and will not encourage or promote the existence of cult-like associations in the name of political activities or groupings,” the APC chairman stated.

APC to Kwankwaso: Apologise to Tinubu, Shettima before joining our party

Atiku doesn’t keep his words, says Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has disclosed the reason he vehemently opposed Atiku Abubakar’s presidential ambition in 2023.