Nyesom Wike’s Vicious Lies and Hypocrisy: Peter Obi’s Legacy Towers Above Political Sabotage — Written by Maazị Tochukwu Ezeoke
Abuja, 12 July 2025
Nyesom Wike’s recent assault on Peter Obi during a thanksgiving service in Abuja is not just a deplorable exercise in falsehood but a desperate attempt to rewrite history and cling to fading relevance. His baseless claim that Obi, as Anambra State governor, “never conducted local government elections” and single-handedly oversaw all local governments is a lie so egregious it collapses under the weight of undeniable evidence. Worse still, Wike’s audacity to question Obi’s presidential credentials reeks of irony, given his alleged role in rigging the 2023 presidential election in Rivers State against Obi to favor Bola Tinubu. Wike is not God, and the times have changed—Nigerians are no longer swayed by his political thuggery and deceit.
Let’s dismantle Wike’s falsehood with facts. Contrary to his claim, Peter Obi conducted local government elections in Anambra State. In 2013, during his second term, the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) organized elections across the state’s 21 local government areas, electing chairmen and councilors. This is documented in state records and media reports from the period, easily accessible to anyone who values truth over propaganda. Wike’s assertion is not a mere oversight but a deliberate fabrication meant to tarnish Obi’s unimpeachable record.
Wike’s hypocrisy is further exposed by his own words from 2013, when, as Minister of State for Education, he showered Obi with praise. He declared, “Not just Anambra, but the entire country should be proud of Governor Obi,” lauding his “impressive” and “innovative” leadership in education and governance. Wike marveled at Obi’s transparency, directing the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) to release all owed funds to Anambra because of Obi’s “judicious and constructive” use of resources. He even urged other governors to emulate Obi’s humility and stakeholder engagement, noting the genuine respect Obi commanded from traditional rulers and citizens alike. These glowing remarks, documented in *The Nigerian Voice*, stand in stark contrast to Wike’s current venomous rhetoric. What changed? Certainly not Obi’s record, but Wike’s political fortunes.
Wike’s attack is not just personal; it’s a calculated move to diminish Obi’s towering moral authority, especially after Obi’s strong showing in the 2023 presidential election. Reports, including a BBC investigation, have detailed how Wike, as Rivers State governor, allegedly orchestrated electoral malfeasance to undermine Obi’s landslide victory in the state. The BBC found that results from over 6,000 polling units in Rivers showed Obi leading, but the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced inflated figures for Tinubu, nearly doubling his vote count. Obi himself stated on Arise TV in March 2023, “If the real votes in Rivers were counted, I won more than 50% in the state,” accusing Wike of tampering with the people’s mandate. Social media posts from the time, including by users like @odogwu_obi and @chude__, echoed this sentiment, alleging Wike’s “broad daylight” rigging to deliver Rivers to Tinubu, securing his current ministerial position as a reward.[](https:fij.ngarticlebbc-investigation-reveals-obi-won-in-rivers-but-election-was-rigged-for-tinubu)
Wike’s claim that Obi “can’t be president” is not only hypocritical but blasphemous in its arrogance. He is not God, and the era of political godfathers imposing their will on Nigerians is waning. The 2023 election saw Obi galvanize millions, particularly young voters, with his message of hope and competence. His “Obidient” movement shook the establishment, exposing the hunger for principled leadership—something Wike, with his history of strong-arm tactics and alleged electoral manipulation, cannot comprehend. While Obi left Anambra with a surplus of over ₦75 billion, transforming education, healthcare, and infrastructure, Wike’s tenure in Rivers was marked by accusations of financial recklessness and authoritarianism. His critique of Obi’s governance is laughable when juxtaposed against his own record of prioritizing flashy projects over sustainable development.
Obi’s legacy in Anambra remains a beacon of excellence. He revitalized education by returning mission schools to their owners while equipping them with modern facilities. He built roads, improved healthcare, and governed with frugality and accountability—qualities Wike once acknowledged but now conveniently forgets. Wike’s attempt to rewrite this history is a futile exercise in political sabotage, driven by his fear of Obi’s enduring popularity and the shifting tides of Nigerian politics.
Nigerians are wiser now. The times have changed, and Wike’s brand of divisive, manipulative politics is losing its grip. His lies about Obi’s record and his alleged role in rigging the 2023 election in Rivers reveal a man clinging to power through deceit. Obi represents a future of integrity and competence, while Wike’s attacks only underscore his own insecurities. Let Wike be reminded: he is not God, and the will of the people will prevail. Nigerians deserve leaders who build, not those who destroy with falsehoods and betrayal.
