“Wike, who owns no business, has the effrontery to ride a Rolls Royce in broad daylight. Doesn’t he know that such obscene display of ill-gotten wealth and oversized ego makes the poor resentful of him?”
Those are the words of Ugo Egbujo, a supporter of Peter Obi, as he lashes out at the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Barr. Nyesom Wike, accusing him of hypocrisy and poor character over his recent comments about Obi’s hospitality.
In a media outburst, Egbujo said, “Wike is gossiping about the wine Obi used to receive him in his house many years ago. In a crass display of poor character, he has chosen to display this private act of hospitality to the public.”
Egbujo questioned Wike’s motives, suggesting that he was driven by envy and a desire to smear Obi’s reputation. “Guy is a scoundrel. Obi has been trading since his school days. Obi’s family owns Next Cash and Carry, a prominent retail chain. Obi has owned franchises of some of the best brands, including wines. A legacy of hard work and enterprise,” Egbujo stated.
According to Egbujo, Wike’s actions were a clear example of spite. “A man welcomed you to his home and presented drinks. And ten years later, to spite the man, you broadcast to the public the high quality of the drink, not to extol his generosity of spirit, but to cast aspersions on his integrity.”
Egbujo also slammed Wike for flaunting his wealth, particularly for riding in a Rolls-Royce in broad daylight. “Wike, who owns no business, has the effrontery to ride a Rolls Royce in broad daylight. Doesn’t he know that such obscene display of ill-gotten wealth and oversized ego makes the poor resentful of him?”
Egbujo contrasted Wike’s ostentatious lifestyle with Obi’s modest and frugal approach, suggesting that Obi’s simplicity and trustworthiness are key to his popularity. “Obi was a billionaire when Wike, a Port Harcourt ogogoro drinking hustler, was still carrying bags for Mbata. Everybody knows Obi is a billionaire. He can choose to wear a single color of a single shoe. He hasn’t ever told anyone he is poor.”
Egbujo concluded by saying that Wike’s actions are driven by envy. “It’s envy. Obi commands a spontaneous and energetic followership that cuts across many regions and tribes. The public sees Obi as simple, frugal, and trustworthy. So they must smear him. Rather than stooping to learn what endears him to the people, they opt for relentless and haphazard envy.”
