Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nyesom Wike, has firmly dismissed any potential presidential run by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2027.
Although Mr. Atiku has not publicly disclosed any plans to run for the presidency again, he has contested every election since 2007.
In 2022, after winning the PDP ticket, Mr. Wike, another contender, was considered a favorite as Atiku’s running mate pick. However, Atiku chose the less combative Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa as his vice-presidential pick, leading Wike to work against his party.
Speaking on Wednesday, November 13, at a media parley in Abuja, Wike, who, despite being an opposition politician, was rewarded with the powerful ministerial position of Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja, in the All Progressives Congress (APC) government, ruled out any possibility of Atiku using the PDP to contest again.
Mr. Atiku had criticized President Bola Tinubu’s performance in office since 2023, suggesting he would have performed better if he was elected.
Why Wike Won’t Support Atiku
However, the minister argued that Atiku had repeatedly presented his blueprint to Nigerians and had been consistently rejected at the polls.
Wike said, “Did he (Atiku) not present it (blueprint) before Nigerians? Did Nigerians choose him? He is lobbying for another chance. The chance will not be there. In which party? How can we use one man for how many years?“
He drew parallels with America where, according to him, many Nigerians “did not support Trump, saying he is this, he is a racist, he is that we are crying. Americans were thinking about something else, thinking for the good of their own country, and made a decision.”
Referring to Atiku pointedly, he said, “You presented your blueprint in 2023. Nigerians heard you clearly and said thank you, but it will not work. We will not support you. Criticisms do not mean the opposition is working.”
Minister Wike controls a powerful bloc in the PDP. He has openly declared support for the president’s re-election in 2027. In effect, he may be seen as holding the main opposition party with a leech on behalf of the ruling party.
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