Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has explained why Peter Obi lost the 2023 election in Rivers State. The minister’s claim raise fresh concern over the 2023 presidential election outcome in the state.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has faced allegations of manipulating the election results, particularly in Rivers State.
However, Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the election, maintained that he won the state.
Speaking in an interview with TVC News on Monday, Wike claimed that he and the former G-5 governors stopped Obi from winning Rivers State.
He claimed that the Labour Party was allowed to win parts of the South-South during the 2023 election to prevent Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential candidate at the time, from winning the region.
He said, “We in the G-5 have our strategy. We said the PDP was stronger in the South-South and our problem was Atiku. Therefore, instead of Atiku taking it, let it go to the Labour Party.
“It was only Rivers State where we said, ‘No, we have a problem here in Rivers. Obi will not win here. If he wins, he will send a signal somewhere.’ We stopped it.
“It is no longer the same scenario. I can tell you authoritatively now that Obi can’t win the South-South.”
My children supported Peter Obi in 2023 – Wike
Additionally, the minister disclosed that all his children supported Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, during the 2023 presidential election.
However, the former Rivers State governor said the controversy surrounding the All Progressives Congress (APC) Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket influenced their decision to support Obi.
He said President Bola Tinubu’s administration had addressed the concerns surrounding the same-faith ticket and that the situation had improved.
“In 2023, there was a problem with the Muslim-Muslim ticket. There was this campaign about Christianity.
“All my children supported Peter Obi. But now, they are saying that they never knew this man, Peter Obi, was like this.
“There are a lot of people who were carried away, but that is no longer there now. Tinubu has been able to kill the Muslim-Muslim ticket problem,” Wike said.
Backstory…
In recent times and in the moments leading up to the 2027 general election, FCT minister, Nyesom Wike has severally reiterated that he is working to ensure President Tinubu’s reelection.
Wike has openly announced that his job is to give the opposition a tough time. Amid this, he has launched a coalition called the Rainbow coalition, who’s mission is to work for Tinubu’s victory in the coming polls.
The shocking twist however, remains that the minister has said all of these while remaining an active member and Chieftain of the People’s democratic party.
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