Wike's Aide Claims Peter Obi Gave Delegates Money, Debunks 'No Shishi' Myth

Lere Olayinka, who serves as a media aide to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has openly disputed the popular belief that Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), is a politician who avoids spending money during his pursuit of electoral positions.

According to Olayinka, the former Anambra State governor reportedly distributed funds to delegates during his bid for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential ticket in the run-up to the 2023 elections. He brought this allegation to light on Friday, September 4, while featuring on AIT’s Democracy Today programme. His comments came as a direct response to an inquiry about whether politics was viewed as a business venture for Minister Wike.

Olayinka emphasized that politicians in Nigeria need to cease the pretense that financial considerations are absent from the country's political landscape. He maintained that aspirants consistently disburse money during various stages, including consultations, party primary elections, and general election campaigns. He was quoted saying, 'One of the issues with most of us Nigerians, we like to pretend, politics is business. Don’t let us pretend. It’s a service but you can only serve when you get to power.'

The media aide further disclosed his own experience, having vied for a House of Representatives seat in 2023, where he affirmed that financial disbursements were an integral part of the primary election process. He posed a rhetorical question: 'Why do politicians spend money? Will anybody tell me why politicians in this country, even outside Nigeria, in US, everywhere; don’t they spend money to campaign? They spend money to seek election.'

Addressing the claims surrounding Peter Obi directly, Olayinka challenged the widely circulated story that the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate refrains from spending money during his political activities. He flatly stated, 'For instance, we have read that the candidate of NDC, Peter Obi, does not spend shishi. It’s a lie.'

Olayinka asserted that he was a direct eyewitness to Obi distributing money to delegates when the latter was a presidential aspirant within the PDP fold. He recounted, 'I was a delegate in Ekiti when he was in PDP before going to Labour Party. He came to Ekiti. He dropped money for delegates. From the money he dropped, they gave me my own in 2022.'

However, Olayinka conceded that the amount Obi spent might have been less substantial compared to what other presidential aspirants disbursed. He clarified, 'The money might be smaller than what other people gave, but he gave money.'

It is notable that Obi ran for the 2023 presidential election under the Labour Party banner, a move he made after departing from the PDP, where he had initially pursued its presidential ticket. Furthermore, in preparation for the upcoming 2027 election cycle, he is reported to have transitioned to the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).