By Daniel Edu
Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister and a prominent figure in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has expressed his views on the judiciary’s role in the political career of Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP).
During an exclusive interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today program, Wike asserted that the judiciary made the right decision when it allowed Peter Obi to reclaim his mandate as the governor of Anambra State in 2007. However, he believes the judiciary made an incorrect decision when Obi lost at the presidential tribunal recently.
Wike raised the question of whether Peter Obi had to resort to bribery to secure his victory at the Supreme Court when he was initially removed from office as governor. He stated, “Did Peter Obi not win at the Supreme Court when he was removed as governor? Did he pay a bribe? Let him tell the world now. When he was removed as a governor, did he not reclaim his mandate at the Supreme Court? The judiciary was right, but now that the decision has happened, the judiciary is wrong.”
Wike also shared his perspective on the 2023 presidential election. He described himself as a realist and indicated that he did not believe Peter Obi would win the February 25, 2023 poll. Wike disclosed that he supported Bola Tinubu rather than Obi or Atiku, who were both members of his party (PDP).
He praised the conduct of the election and credited the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its handling of the process. He emphasized that, despite sentiments, Obi could not have won the election. He pointed out that although many preferred a younger candidate like Obi, they failed to consider the significant factors of ethnicity and religion that influence Nigerian politics.
Wike highlighted the role of generational change and the influence of these factors on the election outcome, emphasizing that young voters may have wanted a change but underestimated the complexities of Nigerian politics.
