Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe at the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, describing his public display of modesty as “fake” and accusing him of using it to win votes ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Wike made the remarks on Tuesday during an engagement with Rivers State youths, where he questioned Obi’s habit of celebrating his birthdays at Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps and buying roasted corn by the roadside.

According to the minister, Obi’s recent public displays of simplicity were politically motivated rather than a genuine reflection of his character.

Wike argued that Obi, who served as governor of Anambra State for eight years, did not demonstrate the same lifestyle while in office.

The former Rivers State governor suggested that Obi’s activities were part of a carefully calculated strategy to appeal to Nigerians ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

“Make him the president of social media so that he can be going to IDP camps, so that he will be buying corn on the road, then you will say, ‘Oh! Very humble.’ Humble where?” Wike queried.

He continued: “It’s fake. Who are you going to deceive? When you were a governor, you didn’t go to the IDP camp to do your birthday. You didn’t go to buy fuel by yourself. All of a sudden, just because you want to be president, you are now going. Who are you going to deceive?”

Wike’s comments have added another dimension to the emerging political exchanges ahead of the 2027 elections, with the minister challenging the authenticity of Obi’s modest public image.

However, the remarks represent Wike’s personal assessment of Obi’s conduct, and no response from the former Anambra State governor was included in the report.

As political activities gradually intensify ahead of 2027, the exchange highlights the growing contest over candidates’ public image, credibility and appeal to Nigerian voters.