Why Atiku Can’t be President, by Wike

Wike

By Aminat Damilola, Assistant Editor

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, outlined reasons on why former Vice President Atiku Abubakar cannot secure victory in the January 16, 2027, presidential election.

Wike, who spoke yesterday on the state of the nation during his televised monthly chat said Atiku’s presidential ambition on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) had violated the principle of rotation, which is premised on equity, fairness and justice.

The Minister recalled that he, as a member of the Group of Five Governors (G5), opposed Atiku’s ambition as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the same reason.

He reaffirmed that he had resolved to be at the forefront of the struggle to actualise President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid, adding that if the opposition forms the next government, he would be the first major casualty.

The minister, who lent his voice to the fuel subsidy debate, urged the 36 governors to explain to Nigerians how they had judiciously deployed the proceeds allocated to them to develop their states. NigerianPartnership Consulting

Wike also fired salvos at two All Progressives Congress (APC) governors – Hope Uzodimma of Imo State and AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State – for working against him, despite his support for them in the past.

‘I won’t fold my hands and allow Atiku to win’ Government

Wike said he would not sit back and allow Atiku to win the 2027 election.

He recalled how the G5 worked with former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom to frustrate Atiku’s aspiration in the Northcentral state in 2023, saying he had no apology to offer.

He emphasised that the decision to oppose Atiku was not taken by one individual, adding that it was a collective position of the G5.

He said the outcome of the 2023 presidential election in Benue and other states reflected the impact of the G5’s rebellion against Atiku.

Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, maintained that the group’s position was driven by the struggle for equity, fairness and respect for power rotation within the PDP.

He said the PDP leadership failed to uphold the principle of balancing political power between the North and the South ahead of the 2023 election.

The minister disclosed that he would be visiting Rivers State, his political base, regularly ahead of the polls to enable him to coordinate consultations and mobilisation for the President’s second term.

He said: “You want me to fold my hands for Atiku Abubakar to come and win the election? No way.

“It’s not about relocating; it’s about coming home to relate with the people and talk to them, and also do those things you know how to do very well, not to take chances.

“So, I’m not relocating. I don’t need to relocate, but I also have to be in touch with my people so that I don’t just sit in Abuja and then say that everything is going on well there.”

Besides, the minister said his strong family and political roots in the state made it impossible for him to remain permanently disconnected from the people.

Wike said: “My parents are still alive,” adding that his regular visits to Rivers were both personal and political.

The minister said his loyalty to President Tinubu was total, adding that he was fully conscious of the consequences of his defeat in 2027.

“Each day I sleep, I am thinking about the President’s re-election. When I am eating, I think about the President’s re-election. Everything I am doing now is about the President’s re-election.”

He added that his experience in Nigerian politics had taught him that loyalty and political conviction often came with personal attacks and sustained criticism