The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has no chance of contesting the 2027 presidential election, asserting that there is “no space” for him in the race.
Wike made the remarks on Thursday while speaking to journalists during an inspection tour of ongoing road construction projects in Kuje Area Council of Federal Capital Territory. The comments are the latest in a series of pointed exchanges between the two political figures, reflecting deepening divisions within Nigeria’s opposition landscape.
According to the minister, Atiku’s political ambitions for 2027 are unrealistic, and he advised the former vice president to defer any further attempts at the presidency until 2031.
“There is no space for him in 2027,” Wike said. “He can wait till 2031. By then he will be 82. Even though he has said this is his last time, we will still encourage him to run then.”
The statement underscores Wike’s continued opposition to Atiku’s presidential aspirations, which have spanned multiple election cycles. Atiku, a former vice president and serial presidential contender, has yet to formally declare his intention for the 2027 race, but remains a central figure in Nigeria’s political discourse.
Beyond dismissing Atiku’s chances, Wike also criticised the former vice president for what he described as persistent attacks on the current administration led by Bola Tinubu. The minister argued that the performance of the present government compares favourably with the period when Atiku held office.
“You cannot continue to criticise a government that is doing better than when you were in power,” Wike suggested, though he did not provide specific metrics for comparison.
The FCT minister’s comments come at a time of heightened political activity and early positioning ahead of the 2027 general elections, with key actors already engaging in public exchanges that signal emerging alignments and rivalries.
In the same engagement, Wike addressed allegations linking him to attempts to frustrate the recent national convention of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), particularly claims that authorities under his supervision sought to deny the party access to event venues within Abuja.
The ADC had earlier alleged that it encountered difficulties securing venues for its convention held on April 14, 2026, accusing officials of the FCT administration of interference. The party claimed that it was initially denied access to some locations and faced challenges in using the Rainbow Event Centre, where the convention was eventually held.
However, Wike firmly denied any involvement in the matter, describing the allegations as unfounded and politically motivated. He insisted that neither he nor his office issued any directive to revoke the licence of the event centre or obstruct the party’s activities.
“I did not order the revocation of any licence, and I am not aware of any directive stopping the ADC from using any venue,” he said.
The minister further disclosed that he had ordered an internal investigation into the claims to determine whether any official within the FCT administration acted without authorisation.
“I have directed my Chief of Staff to investigate the matter thoroughly,” Wike stated. “We will not allow people to wake up and make baseless allegations against the FCT administration. If any staff is found to have interfered, appropriate action will be taken.”
He assured that the outcome of the investigation would be made known, emphasizing his commitment to transparency and accountability in the administration of the territory.
Wike also used the opportunity to criticise the ADC, suggesting that the party should focus on resolving its internal issues rather than attributing its challenges to external forces.
“ADC should stop blaming others for its problems,” he said. “They should look inward instead of making excuses. Be rest assured, they will not win.”
The remarks reflect a broader pattern of political rhetoric as parties and their leaders begin to position themselves ahead of future elections. Analysts note that such exchanges, while not uncommon, often signal deeper strategic calculations within Nigeria’s evolving political environment.
Observers also point out that Wike’s dual focus—challenging Atiku’s ambitions while dismissing ADC’s claims—highlights his active role in shaping political narratives beyond his immediate administrative responsibilities as FCT minister.
Meanwhile, the inspection tour itself, which formed the backdrop of Wike’s comments, is part of ongoing efforts by the FCT administration to monitor infrastructure development across area councils. The minister has repeatedly emphasised his commitment to improving road networks and public facilities within the territory.
As political tensions continue to build, Wike’s remarks are likely to provoke responses from both Atiku’s camp and the ADC, potentially setting the stage for further exchanges in the coming weeks.
For now, the statements have added another layer to Nigeria’s early pre-election discourse, with key actors already drawing lines and testing public sentiment ahead of what promises to be a highly contested 2027 electoral cycle.
