The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has made it clear that he has no interest in challenging President Bola Tinubu for the country’s top job in the 2027 presidential election.
Amid ongoing speculations that Wike might consider a run for presidency should the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) zone its presidential ticket to the South, the former Rivers State governor firmly dismissed the idea during a recent interview with BBC Pidgin.
When asked directly if he would contest should his party zone its ticket to the South, Wike replied, “I will not contest. Why will I contest against someone I’m working for?”
Responding to whether he believes President Tinubu stands a chance of securing victory in 2027, Wike argued that the opposition currently lacks a formidable challenger, stating, “They said they will zone it to the South, let them zone first. When we get to the bridge we will know how to cross it.”
In a related conversation, Wike addressed ongoing comparisons between his leadership of the FCT and that of Nasir El-Rufai, a former Kaduna State governor who also served as the FCT Minister during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.
Speaking during the same BBC Pidgin interview, Wike acknowledged El-Rufai’s notable performance while asserting that he isn’t driven by comparisons.
He explained, “I’m not working to be compared with anybody (El-Rufai). For me, when Tinubu informed me that there is work to be done and I saw that he was sincere and he gave me the support needed, then I realized that he wants me to change Abuja.
“People are the ones judging because they are the ones that see, I have never stayed in Abuja before.
“When El-Rufai was the Minister, I was the Chairman of council and I didn’t come to Abuja, so it will be difficult for me to talk about comparison.
“All I know is that people said El-Rufai tried, I don’t work to compare.”
