2027: Wike declares Obi’s political wave dead, dismisses chances of presidential victory

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that the political movement that propelled former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi to national prominence during the 2023 presidential election has collapsed, insisting that the Labour Party’s former presidential candidate no longer commands the popularity that once made him a major political force.

Wike said Obi’s political influence had significantly diminished ahead of the 2027 general election, expressing confidence that the former governor would struggle to replicate the electoral performance that earned him widespread support in 2023.

The minister made the remarks on Thursday during his monthly media chat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he assessed the political fortunes of major opposition figures preparing for the next presidential contest.

In a blunt assessment of Obi’s political standing, Wike dismissed the popular movement associated with the former presidential candidate, popularly known as the ‘Obidient Movement’, claiming that its influence had largely disappeared.

“All this so-called Obi kererenke doesn’t exist again. I have killed it,” Wike declared.

His comments represent a fresh escalation in the political exchanges surrounding Obi’s ambition and the prospects of opposition parties seeking to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

Wike argued that the political atmosphere that facilitated Obi’s impressive showing in the 2023 presidential election had changed, suggesting that the enthusiasm and mobilisation witnessed during the last election could not automatically translate into another electoral breakthrough.

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The former Rivers State governor also questioned Obi’s capacity to attract the financial contributions and grassroots mobilisation that characterised his previous presidential campaign.

“The Obi wave is dead and buried. How many people are contributing money for Obi today?” he asked.

Wike went further to ridicule Obi’s political credentials, describing him as a dramatist and accusing him of lacking the capacity to provide meaningful leadership to Nigerians.

“Nigerians know that Obi has nothing to offer, he is a dramatist. You were there when Soludo exposed him,” he said, apparently referring to criticisms previously made by Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, about Obi’s record in office.

The FCT minister’s remarks come amid growing political realignments and negotiations among opposition figures seeking to build a formidable coalition ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Wike also examined the political prospects of former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who is associated with Obi’s presidential ticket under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Although acknowledging Kwankwaso’s considerable political influence in Kano State, the minister questioned whether the former governor could translate his popularity into substantial electoral support across the wider Northern region.

“I agree that Kwankwaso is very popular, but he ran in 2023 and won in Kano, fine, but what about the other northern states? What about the North-Central, what will happen there?” he queried.

Wike’s argument centred on the difficulty of converting regional political influence into nationwide electoral support, particularly in a presidential contest where candidates must demonstrate broad geographical appeal.

His comments suggest that, beyond the political strength of individual opposition figures, their ability to build alliances and secure votes outside their traditional strongholds could determine their chances in 2027.

The minister also turned his attention to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, questioning his suitability for another attempt at the presidency.

Wike argued that Nigerians had previously given Atiku the opportunity to serve in public office but had not witnessed the results they expected.

His criticism adds to the growing verbal exchanges among political actors as opposition parties struggle to consolidate their platforms, manage competing presidential ambitions and establish a common strategy against the ruling All Progressives Congress.

With the 2027 election approaching, Wike’s latest comments highlight the intensifying battle over political relevance, opposition unity and the ability of leading presidential contenders to sustain the enthusiasm and support that defined their previous electoral campaigns.

However, whether Obi’s political movement has genuinely lost its appeal, as Wike claims, remains a question that will ultimately be tested by voter mobilisation, party structures, campaign financing and electoral outcomes in 2027.