Wike backs Tinubu for 2027, denies presidential ambition
Former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has backed the 2027 presidential bid of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, while denying any personal ambition for the number one office, in view of the 2027 general election.
A statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, on Saturday, denied the claim about some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders mounting pressure on the FCT Minister to partake in the 2027 presidential contest.
The statement rather expressed Wike’s endorsement of Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, while describing the claim as “another lie from idle minds who have nothing to contribute to the development of the country.”
According to Olayinka,
“The Minister has made it clear where he stands as long as the 2027 presidential election is concerned — he is with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
“Wike does not function in hiding. He does what he says and says what he does. It is shameful that the ‘pull-Wike-down’ elements could not reason beyond such kindergarten tactics. It is clear that they need better brains to think for them,” the statement added.
Olayinka threw light on a report of a supposed PDP meeting, stating that only a meeting among PDP stakeholders from the southern part of the country, held on August 20, 2025, with its outcome publicly released in a statement signed by several PDP leaders from the South-South and South-East.
“The only meeting that took place on August 20, 2025, was that of PDP stakeholders from Southern part of Nigeria, and the purpose was the meeting scheduled for Lagos on August 21, 2025, by some elements to rubberstamp a decision to micro-zone party positions zoned to the South.
“Outcome of the meeting was made public via a press statement titled, ‘Re: Purported Meeting Of PDP Southern Zoning Consultative Summit,’ signed by State Party Chairmen of Imo, Abia, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers, Austin Nwachukwu, Abraham Amah, Barr. Venatuis Ikem, Rt. Hon Aniekan Akpan and Aaron Chukwuemeka, respectively, as well as the National Vice Chairman (South-East), Hon. Chidiebere Egwu Goodluck, and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon O. K. Chinda.
“Others who signed the press statement were Senators Igwe Nwagu, Mao Ohuabunwa, George Sekibo, Mike Ama Nnachi, former National Secretary, Rt. Hon. Onwe S. Onwe, Deputy National Legal Adviser, Barr. Okechukwu Osuoha, former Ebonyi State Legal Adviser, Barr. Mudi Erhenede and others.
“Obviously, the above names were picked from the press statement published in all major newspapers and aired on national television stations to advance the latest mischief.
“We know their intention, though. But unfortunately for them, and the platform they are using to propagate their idle plots, the person and character of the FCT Minister is known to everyone — he does not do anything in hiding,” he said.
He further emphasizes Wike’s commitment to the President’s political and development agenda, stating: “He has said it clearly that from now till 2031, it is on the mandate of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu that he will stand.”
Olayinka added that Wike will continue to deliver on President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the FCT.
