2023 Election: NDC Says Wike’s Remarks Confirm Peter Obi Was ‘Rigged Out’

The National Publicity Secretary of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Osa Director, has alleged that recent remarks by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, support claims that Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi was denied victory in the 2023 presidential election.

In a post on his X handle, Osa Director described Wike’s comments as a “confession” of electoral manipulation, saying they reinforced what many Nigerians had long believed about the outcome of the 2023 poll.

He said he found the minister’s remarks disturbing, arguing that such statements would have prompted investigations in countries where democratic institutions are stronger.

> “I have struggled, almost asphyxiating under the psychological weight of shock and disappointment, hearing Nyesom Wike, the FCT Minister, in his guttural voice, confess to electoral heist in the 2023 general elections. For him, it was normal talk, but in saner climes and societies, he would by now be answering questions before the relevant security agencies. Not in Nigeria.”

The NDC spokesman further criticised what he described as the acceptance of electoral misconduct and political intimidation in the country.

> “It is sad how we have normalized the abnormal in our country, where a President can say that all is fair in politics. So, killing, maiming and intimidation of voters and political opponents are fair?”

He also dismissed Wike’s suggestion that he influenced Peter Obi’s performance in parts of the country, arguing that the claim was inconsistent with the election results in states outside the minister’s political base.

> “The fraudulent claims of manipulation of votes to shore up Obi’s total aggregate are hollow. If truly he made Obi win in the South-South, was he also the one who made Obi defeat President Tinubu in Lagos State, which has been under his vice grip for over two decades? Was he the one who made Obi clear some North Central states like Plateau?”

According to Osa Director, Wike’s comments should instead be viewed as an admission that Obi was deprived of victory in the election.

> “The truth in Wike’s claim is a reverse interpretation of his confession. In essence, he just told Nigerians what we already knew — that they conspired to rig and rob Obi of victory in 2023. Now that Obi is proving to be their nemesis ahead of 2027, he had to say something to demystify the nationally preferred candidate.”

Expressing optimism ahead of the next general election, the NDC spokesman said Nigerians would ensure a different outcome in 2027.

> “But one thing is sure: 2027 will not be 2023. A New Nigeria is POssible! Certainly, it will happen.”