Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has firmly ruled out the possibility of contesting against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, putting an end to mounting speculations about his political intentions.
Wike recently sparked debate after calling on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South—a move many interpreted as a strategic step towards launching his own presidential bid. However, in a weekend interview with BBC News Pidgin, the former Rivers State governor made his position clear.
“I will not contest. Why will I contest against someone I’m working for?” Wike stated, emphasizing his unwavering support for President Tinubu’s administration. He reiterated that he had no interest in vying for the presidency, pointing out that no viable opposition candidate currently exists who could defeat Tinubu in a future election. “I will not contest again. I cannot contest against someone I am working with. Who will win except him?” he added.
Speaking on the PDP’s internal zoning discussions, Wike maintained a neutral stance, saying, “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.”
Addressing the political crisis in Rivers State, Wike also denied allegations of a personal feud with the suspended governor, Siminalayi Fubara. He dismissed the conflict as being driven by external forces and reaffirmed his past mentorship of Fubara.
“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,” Wike explained. “Now, they are ashamed because they are being defeated. They are the ones pushing Fubara,” he concluded.
With this statement, Wike seeks to quash rumours of a presidential ambition while standing firmly behind Tinubu and distancing himself from the internal strife in his home state.
