ABUJA — FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has delivered a stinging rebuke to former presidential candidate Peter Obi and other opposition figures, dismissing their recent protest at the National Assembly as the work of “pedestrian clowns” who do not speak for the Nigerian masses.
Speaking at a project flag-off in Abuja on Friday, February 13, 2026, the Minister mocked the “Occupy National Assembly” demonstration, which saw Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and activist Omoyele Sowore join a crowd to demand mandatory electronic transmission of election results.
“Handful of People”
Wike, known for his unfiltered rhetoric, questioned the legitimacy of the protest, arguing that a few hundred people gathered at a gate cannot claim to represent the desires of over 200 million Nigerians.
“Don’t be like a few handful of people who went to the National Assembly claiming ‘this is what Nigerians want,'” Wike taunted. “They think that by making noise at the gate, they have become the voice of the people. Nigeria is bigger than a few disgruntled politicians seeking relevance.”
The “Social Media” Jab
The Minister took a direct swipe at Peter Obi, reviving the “Social Media President” label that has become a staple of his critiques. Wike suggested that while Obi is “winning” on the internet, the actual business of governance and winning elections happens on the ground through tangible projects.
“Some people are perpetual protesters,” Wike said. “They contested and lost, now they want to contest through protests. You can remain the ‘President of Social Media’ for the next twenty years, but out here in the real world, we are busy working for the people.”
Infrastructure vs. Agitation
The clash of philosophies was evident. While Obi and his group argued at the National Assembly that the 2026 Electoral Act must be “bulletproof” against fraud to save the country, Wike maintained that the administration’s focus on roads, flyovers, and hospitals is the only true “political currency.”
Wike challenged his rivals to point to their own records of service instead of “roaming the streets.” He specifically referenced his own work in the FCT, daring the opposition to match his “Project-for-Project” delivery.
The Protesters’ Stance
In contrast, Peter Obi had told the crowd earlier in the week that credible elections are “non-negotiable” for Nigeria’s survival. “If we don’t fix how we vote, we can’t fix how we live,” Obi had stated during the demonstration.
As the debate over the Electoral Act continues to heat up in the Senate, Wike’s comments have drawn a sharp line in the sand. For the Minister, the protesters are merely “distracting the government,” while for the opposition, they are fighting for the very soul of Nigerian democracy.
