NDC Presidential candidate Peter Obi, has said that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, appeared healthier and happier when the two politicians were working together.

Obi made the remark on an online talk show, 90 Minutes Africa.

He was responding to Wike’s earlier claim that he could become the target of opposition politicians if President Bola Tinubu loses the 2027 presidential election.

The former Anambra State governor said photographs of Wike from the period when they were politically close showed a different version of the FCT minister.

“If you see the pictures of Mr Wike when we were moving together, you can see how healthy he is and looking very well. So that means when we were together he was a much happier person and was enjoying himself,” Obi said.

Obi was reacting to Wike’s statement earlier this month that he could be targeted by both Obi and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar if Tinubu fails to secure a second term in office.

Wike, who remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party despite serving in Tinubu’s cabinet, had said his decision to openly support the President had placed him at risk should the administration lose the 2027 election.

“My concern is, I will support Mr President. If you watch what is happening today and look at it, peradventure anything happens and Mr President fails today, I will be the first politician that Atiku or Obi will hunt for his head,” Wike had said.

“I challenge anybody. So, I won’t make that mistake of sleeping to see that the President loses the election.”

The FCT minister made the comments during a media chat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, while explaining his continued campaign for Tinubu’s re-election despite his membership of the PDP.

Wike has had a long-running political disagreement with Atiku since the 2022 PDP presidential primary, which Atiku won. Obi then flying the flag of Labour Party also sought Wike’s support ahead of the 2023 presidential election, although Wike eventually backed Tinubu.

Obi, who is now the presidential candidate of the NDC for the 2027 election, said he was not seeking the presidency in order to pursue political opponents or settle scores with people who had disagreed with him.

“Someone even told me that Wike said if I became president, he would be the first victim. I’m not campaigning to be president to start pursuing people,” Obi said.

Wike had also said he would not sit back and allow Atiku to win the 2027 election, stressing that his support for Tinubu was deliberate and that he would continue to work for the President’s re-election.

“You want me to fold my hands for Atiku Abubakar to come and win the election?” he asked.

The minister has also maintained a strong political presence in Rivers State, despite his responsibilities in Abuja. He dismissed speculation that his frequent visits to the state meant he was planning to relocate there.

“It’s not about relocating; it’s about coming home to relate with the people and talk to them, and also do those things you know how to do very well, not to take chances,” Wike said.

“So, I’m not relocating. I don’t need to relocate, but I also have to be in touch with my people so that I don’t just sit in Abuja and then say that everything is going on well there.”

Wike said he needed to personally monitor political developments in the state rather than depend entirely on reports from political associates.

“I don’t want to sit in Abuja, and candidates are saying, ‘Oh, don’t bother, everything is going on well’. I have to come home and see that all those things are going on. ‘Have you done this? What about this?’” he said.