2027: I won’t sit in Abuja and let Atiku win, Wike says

MINISTER of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike, has vowed to remain actively involved in the political affairs of Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying he will not stay in Abuja and allow former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to win.

Wike, who spoke during his monthly media parley in Abuja on Wednesday, dismissed reports that his frequent trips to Rivers State amounted to plans to relocate permanently to the state.

He explained that his visits were necessary to maintain contact with his political supporters and monitor developments ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to him, he could not afford to remain in Abuja and depend on assurances from political associates that everything was going well in Rivers State.

“I have to come home and see that all those things are going on. ‘Have you done this? Have you done this? What about this? What about this?'” he said.

READ ALSO: Wike’s threat on governors supporting Fubara highlights PDP’s weakness

Wike said the political season required active participation, asking whether he was expected to remain passive and allow Atiku to emerge victorious in 2027.

“You want me to fold my hand for Atiku Abubakar to come and win the election?” he asked.

The former Rivers governor also expressed confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s chances of securing a second term, predicting that the president would return to the Presidential Villa without facing significant pressure.

“This will be an election where a president will be walking to the Villa with no pressure,” Wike said.

He argued that the opposition coalition taking shape ahead of the election did not pose a serious threat to Tinubu, maintaining that the political realignments were not centred on any single individual.

Wike also revisited the role of the G5 governors in the 2023 presidential election, saying their strategy was designed to weaken Atiku’s influence in the South.

He said the group recognised that Atiku was Tinubu’s principal challenger in 2023 and therefore worked to prevent the former vice president from securing overwhelming support in the region.

“We knew the man contesting against Tinubu in 2023 was Atiku,” Wike said, adding that the G5 governors encouraged some states to support Peter Obi instead.

Looking ahead to 2027, Wike argued that the geographical dynamics of the election could work against Atiku if Tinubu encounters difficulties in the North.

“If Tinubu has problem in the North, Atiku will have in the South,” he said.

The FCT minister also questioned the political strength of the opposition, particularly Atiku and Obi, who are associated with emerging opposition realignments.

He dismissed suggestions that Obi’s strong public reception necessarily reflected nationwide electoral strength, arguing that public enthusiasm did not automatically translate into votes.

Wike further defended the participation of individuals facing investigations in political campaigns, saying an ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) does not automatically disqualify a person from canvassing votes.

His comments followed controversy over the inclusion of former Humanitarian Affairs Minister Betta Edu in President Tinubu’s 2027 campaign structure.

Edu was suspended by Tinubu in January 2024 following allegations of financial impropriety and was subsequently investigated by the EFCC. She has not, however, been publicly convicted of an offence arising from the investigation.

READ ALSO: Why G-5 governors fell apart with Atiku after London meeting – Makinde

Wike questioned why someone under investigation should be barred from campaigning when individuals who have faced criminal charges have previously contested elections and won.

He argued that political participation and criminal prosecution were separate issues, insisting that an EFCC investigation alone should not prevent an individual from supporting a political candidate.

The minister also used examples of people facing serious allegations to reinforce his argument that political participation was not necessarily dependent on an individual having a clean legal record.