Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has clarified that he will not run against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the upcoming 2027 general elections.
Wike’s recent request for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to zone its presidential ticket to the South sparked speculation that he might contest against Tinubu.
However, during an interview with BBC News Pidgin over the weekend, Wike was quick to dispel these rumors, stating, “I will not contest. Why will I contest against someone I’m working for?”
The minister reaffirmed his commitment to the Tinubu administration, emphasizing that he had no intentions of challenging the President in 2027.
He further expressed confidence that, at the moment, there is no significant opposition figure capable of defeating Tinubu in the upcoming election.
“I will not contest again. I cannot contest against someone I am working with. Who will win except him?” Wike remarked.
Regarding the PDP’s presidential ticket, Wike said, “They said they would zone it to the South, let them zone first. When we get to the bridge, we will know how to cross it.”
Turning to political matters in his home state of Rivers, Wike, a former governor of the state, addressed the ongoing crisis involving the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Wike described Fubara as his political son, insisting there was no personal feud between them.
“I cannot fight my son,” Wike said.
“It’s not a battle against Fubara. It’s those people who have been pushing him against me.”
The political rift between Wike and Fubara has led to tensions in Rivers State, culminating in a political crisis that included the burning of the state House of Assembly and mass defections.
In response to the crisis, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State in March, suspending Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the state House of Assembly for six months.
Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (rtd) as the state’s administrator to restore governance and stability.
Many observers speculated that Wike played a key role in prompting the state of emergency, possibly to weaken Fubara’s hold on the state’s politics.
However, Wike dismissed this, saying, “That one is not a battle. He (Fubara) is my boy, he is my son, why will I fight with him? I’m only fighting against people who want to steal what they did not work for. Now, they are ashamed because they are being defeated. They are the ones pushing Fubara.”
