Wike Dismisses Claims of PDP Pressure to Join 2027 Presidential Race
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has denied reports suggesting that some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are pressuring him to contest the 2027 presidential election. The minister described the claim as false, unfounded, and a deliberate attempt to drag him into needless political controversy.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, debunked the report, describing it as “another lie from idle minds who have nothing to contribute to the development of the country.” He said the publication, circulated by an online platform, was a failed effort to create confusion within the political space and to pit Wike against other political actors.
Olayinka explained that there was no meeting held to push the FCT Minister into the 2027 race, insisting that Wike’s loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains unwavering. According to him, “As far as Wike is concerned, it is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu till 2031.” He further emphasized that the minister is not one to operate behind closed doors, saying, “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. 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.”
Clarifying reports of a supposed PDP meeting, Olayinka noted that the only meeting held on August 20, 2025, was that of PDP stakeholders from the southern part of Nigeria. He said the gathering was convened to discuss a planned Lagos summit scheduled for August 21, 2025, by certain elements seeking to rubber-stamp a decision to micro-zone party positions within the South. The outcome of the meeting, he added, was made public in a press statement titled “Re: Purported Meeting Of PDP Southern Zoning Consultative Summit.”
Olayinka explained that the statement was signed by several PDP leaders from the South-East and South-South regions, including state party chairmen, lawmakers, and former officials. Among the signatories were the chairmen of Imo, Abia, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers States — Austin Nwachukwu, Abraham Amah, Barr. Venatius Ikem, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Akpan, and Aaron Chukwuemeka respectively — as well as the National Vice Chairman (South-East), Hon. Chidiebere Egwu Goodluck, and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. O. K. Chinda. Others included Senators Igwe Nwagu, Mao Ohuabunwa, George Sekibo, and Mike Ama Nnachi, among others.
He accused those behind the false report of deliberately twisting facts to mislead the public and create unnecessary political tension. “We know their intention, but unfortunately for them and the platform they are using to propagate their idle plots, the person and character of the FCT Minister are well known, he does not do anything in hiding,” Olayinka said.
Reaffirming Wike’s political stance, Olayinka stressed that the FCT Minister remains committed to President Tinubu’s political and development agenda. “He has said it clearly that from now till 2031, it is on the mandate of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu that he will stand,” he concluded.