The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed reports suggesting that he is being pressured by some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to contest the 2027 presidential election, describing the claim as a fabrication by mischief makers.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and social media, Lere Olayinka, the minister said the report was “another lies from idle minds who have nothing to contribute to the development of the country.”
Olayinka said the rumour, circulated by an online platform, was a deliberate attempt to drag Wike into unnecessary controversy and distract him from his duties as FCT Minister.
“As far as Wike is concerned, it is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu till 2031,” Olayinka declared.
“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.”
He emphasized that the FCT Minister remains firmly aligned with President Tinubu’s leadership and has no political ambition that conflicts with the current administration’s goals.
Clarifying reports about a supposed PDP meeting, Olayinka explained that the only meeting held on August 20, 2025, was a gathering of PDP stakeholders from the South, ahead of a Lagos summit, and had nothing to do with presidential ambitions.
According to him, the meeting’s outcome was publicly released in a statement titled “Re: Purported Meeting of PDP Southern Zoning Consultative Summit,” and signed by several prominent PDP figures from the South-East and South-South, including state party chairmen, lawmakers, and former national officers.
Olayinka listed signatories such as Hon. Chidiebere Egwu Goodluck (National Vice Chairman, South-East), Hon. O. K. Chinda (Minority Leader, House of Representatives), and senators Mao Ohuabunwa, George Sekibo, and Mike Ama Nnachi, among others, describing the story of a secret plot to draft Wike as “a poorly conceived mischief.”
“The person and character of the FCT Minister are well known. He does not do anything in hiding. From now till 2031, he stands firmly on the mandate of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Olayinka added.
He further reiterated that Wike’s focus remains on delivering President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda through infrastructural transformation and sustainable development in the Federal Capital Territory.
“To ensure the success of the President’s re-election, Wike will continue to deliver on the Renewed Hope Agenda by actualising the President’s vision for a modern, globally competitive capital city,” the statement concluded.
