The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed reports suggesting he is nursing a presidential ambition ahead of the 2027 general elections. Wike described the claims as baseless fabrications by those attempting to create political tension and discredit his loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the former Rivers State governor said the rumours were “another lie from idle minds who have nothing meaningful to contribute to Nigeria’s development.”
According to the statement, Wike has made his political position clear — he fully supports President Tinubu and his administration’s vision for the country. “The Minister has made it clear where he stands as far as the 2027 presidential election is concerned — he is with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Olayinka stated.
He added that Wike is not a politician who operates in secrecy or sends mixed signals. “Wike does not function in hiding. He does what he says and says what he does. It is shameful that the ‘pull-Wike-down’ elements could not reason beyond such kindergarten tactics. It is clear they need better brains to think for them,” he said.
The statement followed media reports alleging that some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were mounting pressure on Wike to contest the 2027 presidential election. However, Olayinka dismissed such speculation, stressing that it was part of a deliberate campaign by political detractors to sow confusion and misrepresent the FCT Minister’s political direction.
Clarifying the controversy surrounding a supposed PDP meeting, Olayinka explained that the only meeting that took place on August 20, 2025, was one involving PDP stakeholders from the southern region of the country. He said the gathering was convened to discuss issues related to party zoning arrangements and had nothing to do with any presidential ambition.
“The only meeting that took place on August 20, 2025, was that of PDP stakeholders from the southern part of Nigeria. The purpose was to deliberate on the Lagos meeting scheduled for August 21, 2025, by some elements seeking to rubberstamp a decision to micro-zone party positions already zoned to the South,” the statement said.
Olayinka further noted that the outcome of the meeting was made public in a press statement titled ‘Re: Purported Meeting of PDP Southern Zoning Consultative Summit,’ signed by several prominent PDP leaders from the South-East and South-South regions, including state party chairmen, lawmakers, and former officials.
Those who endorsed the communiqué included the State Party Chairmen of Imo, Abia, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers States — Austin Nwachukwu, Abraham Amah, Barr. Venatuis Ikem, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Akpan, and Aaron Chukwuemeka, respectively. Others were the National Vice Chairman (South-East), Hon. Chidiebere Egwu Goodluck; Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. O. K. Chinda; and Senators Igwe Nwagu, Mao Ohuabunwa, George Sekibo, and Mike Ama Nnachi.
Also listed were the former National Secretary of the PDP, Rt. Hon. Onwe S. Onwe; Deputy National Legal Adviser, Barr. Okechukwu Osuoha; former Ebonyi State Legal Adviser, Barr. Mudi Erhenede, among others.
Olayinka maintained that the names of these PDP leaders were picked from the widely published press statement, which had been carried by national newspapers and broadcast on television. He said it was unfortunate that mischief-makers were now using that same list to spread false narratives about Wike’s alleged presidential bid.
“We know their intention, though,” he said. “But unfortunately for them, and the platform they are using to propagate their idle plots, the person and character of the FCT Minister are well known to Nigerians — he does not do anything in hiding.”
Reaffirming Wike’s political stance, Olayinka stated that the FCT Minister remains unwavering in his commitment to President Tinubu’s administration and its Renewed Hope Agenda. “He has said it clearly that from now till 2031, it is on the mandate of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu that he will stand,” he added.
Wike’s declaration effectively puts to rest months of speculation over his future political ambitions. Since joining the Tinubu administration in 2023, despite being a member of the opposition PDP, the former Rivers governor has maintained that his priority is national development and not personal political advancement.
Political analysts view Wike’s latest statement as a reinforcement of his alliance with President Tinubu and a signal to both supporters and critics that his loyalty is not in doubt. It also underscores his growing influence within the administration as one of the President’s key allies, particularly in the South-South region.
As Nigeria moves toward the 2027 elections, Wike’s open endorsement of Tinubu is expected to shape political alignments and recalibrate alliances within both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition PDP.
For now, the FCT Minister insists his focus remains on delivering on his mandate in Abuja and supporting the President’s agenda to restore infrastructure, strengthen governance, and drive national unity.
