Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has strongly rejected the possibility of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar securing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential ticket for the 2027 general election, asserting that Nigerians will not support him.
In a candid and sharply worded statement during a live media session in Abuja on Wednesday evening, Wike criticized Atiku’s repeated attempts to win the presidency, noting that the former vice president had unveiled his policy proposals to the public multiple times but had been consistently rejected by the electorate.
Atiku, who was the PDP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, recently suggested that had he won, he would have governed differently from President Bola Tinubu and would have spared Nigerians from the current economic hardship. However, Wike argued that the Nigerian people had already made their decision, rejecting Atiku’s vision in 2023.
“Did he (Atiku) not present it (blueprint) before Nigerians? Did Nigerians choose him? He is lobbying for another chance. The chance will not be there. In which party? How can we use one man for how many years?” Wike asked, questioning Atiku’s continued ambitions.
Wike, who is also a prominent figure in the PDP, made it clear that he believed the party needed new leadership and fresh ideas, rather than recycling the same faces and platforms that had already failed to secure popular support.
The FCT Minister also took the opportunity to draw a parallel with the political situation in the United States, where former President Donald Trump’s controversial candidacy was met with widespread criticism, yet ultimately garnered support from American voters. Wike emphasized that the electorate, despite criticism, made their decisions based on what they believed was best for their country.
“Look at America, I am sure you all did not support Trump saying he is this, he is a racist, he is that, we are crying, Americans were thinking about something else, thinking for the good of their own country made a decision.”
Wike also reminded Nigerians that Atiku’s 2023 campaign had been rejected at the polls and that the electorate had spoken clearly. He added that while criticisms of a government or opposition party might be loud, they do not necessarily reflect the will of the people.
“You presented your blueprint in 2023, Nigerians heard you clearly and said thank you, but it will not work, we will not support you. Criticisms do not mean the opposition is working.”
Wike’s comments come amid ongoing internal discussions within the PDP about its future leadership and direction heading into the 2027 elections. His statements reflect growing frustration within certain factions of the party over Atiku’s persistent political ambitions and the desire for a shift toward new leadership for the upcoming election cycle.
As the 2027 election approaches, Wike’s remarks signal that the battle for the PDP ticket may be far from settled, with potential candidates and party leaders positioning themselves for a crucial contest in the coming years.
