The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has ruled out any intention of contesting the 2027 presidential election, stating that he would never run against President Bola Tinubu.
In an interview with BBC Pidgin, Wike firmly dismissed the possibility, saying no politician currently stands a chance against the incumbent president.
“I will not contest again. I cannot contest against someone I am working with. Who can defeat him?” Wike asked rhetorically.
Amid ongoing discussions within the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) about potentially zoning its 2027 presidential ticket to the South to strengthen its chances, Wike’s remarks further highlight internal divisions within the party.
Wike, who lost the 2022 PDP presidential primary to Atiku Abubakar, also addressed the party’s current crisis, criticizing some of its members and the conduct of the opposition.
“As an opposition party, you should not be the one displaying impunity and arrogance. That’s the job of the ruling party, not you,” he said.
He singled out prominent PDP figures, accusing them of lacking political relevance and making baseless threats.
“Take Achike Udenwa, former governor of Imo—he has no state assembly member, no national assembly member, and he couldn’t deliver even 3% of the vote to his party. Yet he threatens others.
“Sama Egwu, former governor of Ebonyi, also has no state or national assembly member and produced no governor. What are you threatening with? You have nothing,” Wike said.