The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has denied reports suggesting that a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party is urging him to run for the presidency in 2027. Wike’s spokesman, Lere Olayinka, described the reports as “another lie from idle minds” in a statement. According to Olayinka, Wike’s position on the 2027 presidential election is clear: he supports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who will be in office until 2031.
The statement was in response to an online report claiming that a meeting was held by some PDP leaders to persuade Wike to run for president. Olayinka clarified that the only meeting that took place on August 20, 2025, was a gathering of PDP stakeholders from southern Nigeria, which was held to discuss the party’s zoning arrangements. The outcome of the meeting was made public through a press statement signed by several party leaders, including state chairmen and national officials.
Wike’s spokesman emphasized that the minister is committed to supporting President Tinubu and will continue to work towards the success of his administration. As the FCT Minister, Wike is focused on delivering on the Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to develop the federal capital city’s infrastructure to compete with other major cities worldwide.
The denial of the reports suggests that Wike is not interested in pursuing the presidency in 2027, and instead, will continue to support the current administration. This development may have implications for the political landscape in Nigeria, particularly in the lead-up to the 2027 presidential election. With Wike’s stance clear, attention may now turn to other potential candidates and the ongoing political maneuvering within the PDP and other parties.
