Why We Stopped Peter Obi From Winning Rivers In 2023 Presidential Election – Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revealed the political calculations behind the failure of the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to secure victory in Rivers State during the 2023 general election.

Wike’s comments address long-standing allegations that the presidential election results in Rivers State were altered in favor of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Obi had repeatedly maintained that he won the state during the 2023 contest.

Speaking on Monday during an interview on TVC News, Wike stated that the defunct G-5 governors deliberately executed a political strategy to halt Obi’s momentum in Rivers State while allowing the Labour Party to gain ground in other parts of the South-South region.

According to the former Rivers State governor, the primary objective of the strategy was to prevent the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Atiku Abubakar, from capturing the South-South geopolitical zone.

“We in the G-5 have our strategy. We said the PDP was stronger in the South-South and our problem was Atiku. Therefore, instead of Atiku taking it, let it go to the Labour Party,” Wike said.

He explained that Rivers State was treated as an exception to prevent a political shift that could influence the broader national outcome.

“It was only Rivers State where we said, ‘No, we have a problem here in Rivers. Obi will not win here. If he wins, he will send a signal somewhere.’ We stopped it,” he said.

Wike added that the current political climate in the region differs significantly from the 2023 election cycle, asserting that the Labour Party no longer commands the same level of support across the zone.

“It is no longer the same scenario. I can tell you authoritatively now that Obi can’t win the South-South,” he stated.