Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has firmly denied reports suggesting he is being positioned to contest the 2027 presidential election, declaring unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through 2031.
In a statement released on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, Wike described the rumour as “another lie from idle minds who have nothing to contribute to the development of the country.”
The report, which originated from an unnamed online platform, claimed that some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were lobbying Wike to run for president. Olayinka dismissed the claim as baseless and politically motivated.
“Wike does not function in hiding. He does what he says and says what he does,” Olayinka stated. “It is shameful that the ‘pull-Wike-down’ elements could not reason beyond such kindergarten tactics.”
He emphasized that Wike’s stance on the 2027 election is clear: “It is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu till 2031.”
Addressing reports of a supposed PDP meeting to promote Wike’s candidacy, Olayinka clarified that the only meeting held on August 20, 2025, involved southern PDP stakeholders and was unrelated to any presidential ambition. The meeting, he said, was convened to discuss internal party zoning arrangements ahead of a Lagos summit.
The outcome of that meeting was made public in a joint statement signed by several PDP leaders from the South-East and South-South, including state party chairmen, legislators, and former officials.
Olayinka reiterated that Wike’s focus remains on delivering President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the FCT, particularly through infrastructural and policy reforms aimed at transforming Abuja into a world-class capital city.
“To ensure the success of the President’s re-election, Wike will continue to deliver on the Renewed Hope Agenda in the FCT,” he said.
The statement concluded with a reaffirmation of Wike’s loyalty: “From now till 2031, it is on the mandate of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu that he will stand.”
