The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, has said that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, appeared healthier and looked happier when they worked together at some point earlier in their political journeys.
Peter Obi and Wike previously interacted and crossed paths when Obi was the governor of Anambra State and Wike served as the Minister of State for Education between 2011 and 2014.
During that period, Wike visited Anambra to inspect and commission educational projects executed by Obi’s administration, including renovated secondary schools.
During an online interview, Obi was asked to respond to some of the recent comments made by Wike against him and his presidential aspiration.
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election said he had nothing against the former Rivers State governor.
He, however, said it was clear that the minister was happier and healthier when they were working together, adding that having too much money does not guarantee happiness.
Wike has, on many occasions, talked about how Obi will never become president of Nigeria.
Asked if he was surprised by how Wike talks about him, Obi said: “Well, if you look at the pictures of Mr Wike when we were moving together, you can see how healthy he is and looking very well. So, that means when we were together, he was a much, much happier person and enjoyed himself.
“But let me assure you, I don’t have anything against Mr Wike. He remains a friend and everything.
“Sometimes, you can have too much money and everything, but you don’t have happiness.”
Ahead of the 2027 election, Wike has thrown his weight behind the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, incumbent President Bola Tinubu, whom he also worked with in 2023 and under whose administration he is serving as a minister.
