I will work against & block Atiku’s 2027 presidential ambition & make sure it fails —Wike boasts
Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) Public Communications and Social Media to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said that his principal will work against former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s presidential ambition in 2027.
Wike’s aide said this while reacting to Atiku’s recent comments that he had no regrets for not choosing Wike as his running mate in the 2023 presidential election.
Atiku, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the last election, had revealed that a committee recommended three potential running mates—former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Wike, and ex-Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel. Okowa was eventually picked.
Responding via a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, Olayinka dismissed Atiku’s remarks, stating that Wike had no regrets either about not being selected.
He further claimed that Wike contributed to Atiku’s loss in 2023 and would work to ensure another defeat in 2027.
“Two years after making the @OfficialPDPNig lose a presidential election it could have won, @atiku is giving reasons he did not pick @GovWike as his running mate and that he has no regrets.
“Someone should tell our serial presidential election contestant that Wike also has no regret for ensuring that he failed in the election and will make sure that he fails again and again,” Olayinka wrote.
Our coalition is to grab power in 2027 – Atiku
Atiku announced the formation of a coalition of opposition leaders to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
Read Also: 2027: DWI accuses Atiku, El-Rufai of misleading Nigerians
The move has sparked speculation over who will lead the alliance, with notable figures like former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and ex-Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai rumoured to be key players.
When asked about his plans to contest in 2027, Atiku remained cautious, stating that a strong political platform must first be established.
“I don’t know because there has to be, first of all, a viable platform, more than any other time in the political history of this country, particularly since the return of democracy,” he said.
However, Atiku did not rule out another presidential bid, emphasising Nigeria’s need for experienced leadership.
He likened the situation to the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2014, where opposition forces united, contested, and eventually backed a single candidate to secure victory.
“We had a similar merger in 2014. About four of us, or is it three? We all ran for president, and one of us emerged. We all supported the one who emerged, and he won,” Atiku said.
