The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has revealed his reasons for not backing Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in the 2023 general elections.

Speaking during a press briefing on Friday in Abuja, Wike dismissed Obi’s chances of winning the election, describing him as a “social media candidate.”

“No, he has no chance to win 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 stated that he only supports candidates with realistic chances of electoral success, not just those with online popularity.

“I said I see that as a politician, and I analyse the candidate who is likely to win,” he explained. “In politics, it’s not always about who is the best candidate.”

Wike also touched on the turbulent political environment during the 2023 elections, blaming the naira redesign and fuel scarcity for adding pressure to the ruling party’s campaign efforts.

“It was very, very turbulent for Tinubu to get to that election,” he said, praising President Bola Tinubu’s ability to survive the odds. “No party in government would bring such policies during an election. But everything was done and he survived.”

He concluded by acknowledging Tinubu’s political strategy and divine backing. “There are people, first of all, God is on their side. Two, they also know this game. You must give it to them.”