ABUJA, Nigeria — Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has spoken about his past relationship with Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, saying the former Rivers State governor appeared healthier and happier during the period they worked together.
Obi made the remarks while responding to questions about recent comments by Wike concerning his presidential ambition and their changing political relationship.
The comments come as political activities and alignments continue to develop ahead of Nigeria's 2027 general election.
Obi and Wike crossed paths politically between 2011 and 2014, when Obi was governor of Anambra State and Wike served as Minister of State for Education.
During that period, Wike visited Anambra State to inspect and commission education projects implemented by the Obi administration, including renovated secondary schools.
Reflecting on that period during an online interview, Obi said photographs from their time together showed Wike looking healthier and appearing to be in high spirits.
Obi described Wike as someone who was happier during their interactions, while stressing that he did not hold any personal grudge against the FCT minister.
“Nyesom Wike still remains a very good friend of mine. He looked healthier when we were working together. When Wike and I were together, he was a much happier person and was enjoying himself.”
Obi's comments were presented as an observation about their earlier period of working together rather than a claim about Wike's current health.
The former Anambra governor also addressed the increasingly public political differences between the two men.
According to reports of the interview, Obi said he had nothing against Wike despite the FCT minister's repeated comments concerning his presidential ambition.
Obi also responded to a reported comment attributed to Wike suggesting that he could become a target if Obi eventually became president.
The NDC presidential candidate said his ambition was not about pursuing political opponents.
He explained that his focus would be on addressing the country's challenges and looking toward the future rather than using political office to settle scores.
In another notable part of his response, Obi said material wealth does not necessarily guarantee happiness.
He used the observation about Wike to make a broader point about the difference between possessing material resources and experiencing personal fulfilment.
“Sometimes, you can have too much money and everything, but you don’t have happiness,” Obi said, according to reports of the interview.
The remark has added another dimension to the continuing public exchanges between the two politicians.
The comments are significant because Obi and Wike were once political associates who interacted during their respective roles in government but now occupy different political positions.
Wike currently serves as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory under President Bola Tinubu's administration, while Obi is positioning himself for another presidential contest in 2027. Recent reporting says Wike has backed Tinubu's re-election bid.
Their contrasting political positions have made their public statements particularly relevant as Nigeria's political parties and potential presidential contenders prepare for the next general election.
For Nigerian voters, such exchanges also provide an opportunity to examine not only individual political relationships but the policy positions, records and priorities of the various political actors ahead of 2027.
Despite the political disagreements between them, Obi's latest remarks maintained that his relationship with Wike was not defined entirely by their current differences.
His statement that Wike “remains a friend” provides a notable contrast to the sharper political exchanges surrounding the 2027 race.
For now, both politicians remain prominent figures in Nigeria's national political conversation, with their respective roles likely to keep them at the centre of public debate as the next election approaches.
Peter Obi's comments offer a glimpse into his past working relationship with Nyesom Wike while also addressing their present political differences.
His central message was that he does not view his presidential ambition as a campaign to pursue political opponents. As Nigeria moves toward 2027, statements from both men are likely to remain part of the wider national political conversation.