Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed speculations that he plans to run against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election if the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) zones its ticket to the South.
Speaking in an interview with BBC News Pidgin on Saturday, Wike declared unwavering loyalty to Tinubu, stating he had no intention of contesting against the president.
“I will not contest. Why will I contest against someone I’m working for?” Wike said.
He also downplayed the chances of any serious opposition unseating Tinubu in 2027, insisting the president remains firmly in control.
On PDP’s possible zoning of the presidency to the South, 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.”
Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, also addressed the ongoing political rift in his home state with suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara. He accused unnamed political actors of engineering the crisis.
“That one is not a battle. He (Fubara) is my boy, he is my son, why will I fight with him?” Wike said. “I’m only fighting against people who want to steal what they did not work for.”
He added, “Now, they are ashamed because they are being defeated. They are the ones pushing Fubara.”
Wike vowed to continue countering those external forces until they are politically neutralised.
