Rita Odafe
Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory Minister, has announced that he will not run against President Bola Tinubu in the upcoming 2027 presidential election.
In a conversation with BBC Pidgin, Wike stated that no political figure stands a chance of challenging Tinubu in 2027.
Within the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), there have been talks about potentially designating the presidential ticket to the southern region, aimed at forming a stronger opposition against Tinubu.
Wike previously lost the PDP presidential primary in 2022 to Atiku Abubakar, who went on to be the party’s nominee for the 2023 election.
“I will not run again. I cannot run against someone I am collaborating with. Who else could possibly win except him?” he inquired.
In his remarks regarding the internal conflicts within the PDP, Wike expressed his discontent with certain party members and criticized the policies of the opposition party.
“Being in opposition does not allow for impunity. Arrogance is a trait of those in power, not the opposition,” Wike asserted.
“People like Achike Udenwa, the former governor of Imo, have no members in the assembly. He received less than 3% of the vote and is still making threats.
“Similarly, Saba Egu, the former governor of Ebonyi, also lacks representation. You didn’t secure a governorship position; what grounds do you have to threaten others? You have nothing to back it up.”
I will not run again. I cannot run against someone (Tinubu) whom I collaborate with. Who else could win in 2027 except him?
This boy (Fubara) is my own, my son. How could I possibly oppose him? My true opponents are those who wish to take what isn’t rightfully theirs.
– Wike pic.twitter.com/wElTOyrkem
— Imran Muhammad (@Imranmuhdz) May 17, 2025
