Wike rules out 2027 Presidential ambition, reaffirms loyalty to Tinubu

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed speculation suggesting he may challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, even if the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) zones its ticket to the South.

In an interview with BBC News Pidgin on Saturday, Wike firmly ruled out any presidential ambition, stressing his loyalty to President Tinubu.
“I will not contest. Why will I contest against someone I’m working for?” he stated.

Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, expressed confidence in Tinubu’s leadership, noting that there is currently no viable opposition figure capable of unseating the President.
“They said they would zone it to the South; let them zone it first. When we get to the bridge, we will know how to cross it,” he added.

Addressing the ongoing political rift in Rivers State, Wike downplayed tensions between himself and the suspended governor, Siminalayi Fubara, referring to him as a political protégé.
“That one is not a battle. He (Fubara) is my boy, he is my son. Why will I fight with him?” he said. “I’m only fighting against people who want to steal what they did not work for.”

Wike accused unnamed external actors of fueling the crisis in the state, claiming they are manipulating Fubara for their own interests.
“Now, they are ashamed because they are being defeated. They are the ones pushing Fubara,” he alleged, vowing to continue confronting these forces until they are politically neutralized.