The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, stated that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, appeared healthier and looked happier when they worked together at an earlier stage in their political journeys.

Peter Obi and Wike previously interacted and crossed paths when Obi served as the governor of Anambra State and Wike was the Minister of State for Education between 2011 and 2014. During that period, Wike visited Anambra to inspect and commission educational projects executed by Obi’s administration, including renovated secondaryschools.

During an online interview, Obi was asked to respond to recent comments made by Wike regarding his presidential aspirations. Obi noted that he holds no personal grudge against the former Rivers State governor.

However, he observed that the minister seemed happier and healthier during their previous collaboration, adding that having substantial wealth does not automatically guarantee happiness.

Addressing Wike's frequent statements asserting that he will never become president of Nigeria, Obi remarked: "Well, if you look at 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, much happier person and enjoyed himself.

"But let me assure you, I don’t have anything against Mr Wike. He remains a friend and everything."Sometimes, you can have too much money and everything, but you don’t have happiness."

Ahead of the 2027 election, Wike has thrown his weight behind the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), incumbent President Bola Tinubu, whom he supported in 2023 and under whose administration he currently serves as FCT Minister.