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The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has challenged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to put his own political house in order before accusing its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, of promoting division and lawlessness.
It also declared that Wike lacked the moral authority to lecture others on political tolerance, unity and responsible leadership, given his political conduct in Rivers State and his alleged role in the political instability that has rocked the state.
This was contained in a press statement sugned by the NDC National Campaign Council spokesperson, Dr Chiogo Ikokwu, on Friday night in response to Wike’s reported criticism of Obi over the rendition of the old national anthem by NDC supporters during a town hall meeting in Lagos on Thursday.
Ikokwu described Wike’s reported accusation as extraordinary, arguing that the minister’s political activities had been associated with divisions, political upheaval and prolonged instability.
“It is extraordinary that someone whose political conduct in and outside Rivers State has been widely associated with deep divisions, political upheaval and prolonged instability, can suddenly appoint himself the moral referee of Nigerian politics,” she said.
The NDC NCC spokesperson cited Wike’s role in the political controversies surrounding the 2023 presidential election in Rivers State and his political manoeuvring across party lines between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) as reasons his criticism of Obi should not be taken seriously.
“You cannot be an arsonist in your own backyard and turn up elsewhere preaching fire safety,” she said, insisting that Wike should put his own house in order before attempting to police the conduct of others.
Clarifying the controversy surrounding the rendition of the old national anthem at the Lagos meeting, Ikokwu said it was an impromptu expression by supporters and was neither scripted nor orchestrated by Obi or the party.
She added that another part of the video showed the supporters also singing the current national anthem, arguing that the incident should not be given the political interpretation being suggested by the minister.
Ikokwu accused Wike of attempting to distract Nigerians from what she described as the failures of the APC-led Federal Government, urging Nigerians to focus on the economy and the hardship facing citizens ahead of the 2027 general election.
“Minister Wike should stop distracting Nigerians from the gargantuan failures of the government he’s trying very hard to sell.
“We need to focus on the issues that matter to Nigerians in this election: the economy and the crippling hardship inflicted by the APC government,” she said.
