Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has rejected claims by supporters of Peter Obi that the Labour Party presidential candidate won Rivers State in the 2023 presidential election.
Wike made the comments on Monday during an interview on TVC’s Journalists’ Hangout, while responding to questions about whether his political support in Rivers State remained strong.
He dismissed the claim that Obi won the state, arguing that election victories are determined by official results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), rather than claims made on social media.
“They won by their own imagination,” Wike said. “Who did INEC declare to have won?”
The former Rivers State governor also questioned whether Obi’s supporters were able to substantiate their claim when the election was challenged at the tribunal.
“When they went to the tribunal, were they able to defend their claim?” he asked.
Wike said political supporters could celebrate or claim victories on social media, but argued that such claims did not determine the official outcome of an election.
“You can win on social media; I’m not interested in social media winning,” he added.
He also challenged the idea that Obi’s performance could be determined from results or reactions in isolated parts of Port Harcourt.
“You don’t stay in one place in Port Harcourt and say Obi has won,” Wike said, noting that Rivers State has 23 local government areas and thousands of polling units.
In challenging the claim further, Wike called on Obi’s supporters to provide documentary evidence showing that the Labour Party candidate was declared the winner of the state.
“Let them produce that result sheet that says Obi won,” he said.
Wike’s comments come as political actors continue to debate the outcome of the 2023 presidential election and prepare for the 2027 general elections.
