Lere Olayinka, senior special assistant to the FCT Minister, has called on Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, to step back from seeking media attention and instead focus on building a solid political foundation.
In a statement issued Thursday, Olayinka highlighted that the FCT Administration, under Minister Nyesom Wike’s leadership, is dedicated to meaningful and impactful development. He contrasted this with what he described as the “beer parlour-style governance” that Obi allegedly practiced during his eight years as governor of Anambra State.
Olayinka pointed to ongoing projects as evidence of this commitment, revealing that 73 schools across the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory are currently being renovated, with 21 already completed-demonstrating tangible progress in improving educational infrastructure.
Recently, Peter Obi visited LEA Primary School in Kuje Area Council, where he criticized the poor condition of public schools, calling it a “national embarrassment.”
In response, Olayinka acknowledged that some schools do need upgrades but emphasized that the Wike-led administration is actively addressing these issues through comprehensive renovation programs.
He further noted that 102 contracts have been awarded for school refurbishments, with 21 projects fully completed, underscoring the administration’s commitment to enhancing educational facilities.
Olayinka challenged Obi to reveal how many schools he built or renovated during his tenure as governor of Anambra, arguing that Obi’s time in office did not bring significant improvements to education or other vital sectors in the South-East region.
He accused Obi of misappropriating state funds for personal gain instead of investing in critical infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, and roads, claiming that Anambra still suffers from the effects of this alleged mismanagement.
Olayinka also mocked Obi’s pledge to transform Nigeria within four years, pointing out that Obi failed to achieve such transformation in Anambra over an eight-year period.
Describing Obi as a “political wanderer” who depends on media coverage to maintain relevance, Olayinka dismissed his criticisms of others as ineffective, especially given Obi’s lack of a clear political agenda for the 2027 elections.
He concluded by questioning Obi’s political future, sarcastically asking which party would back him in 2027 and whether simply owning “one shoe and one wristwatch” would be enough to secure another nomination.
