Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that his principal will actively oppose former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s presidential ambition in the 2027 election.
Olayinka made this statement in response to Atiku’s recent remark that he had no regrets for not selecting Wike as his running mate in the 2023 presidential election.
Atiku, who was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the last election, revealed that a selection committee had recommended three potential running mates—former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Wike, and ex-Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel—before Okowa was ultimately chosen.
Reacting via a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, Olayinka dismissed Atiku’s statement, asserting that Wike also had no regrets about not being selected. He further claimed that Wike played a role in Atiku’s defeat in 2023 and would work to ensure another loss in 2027.
“Two years after making the @OfficialPDPNig lose a presidential election it could have won, @atiku is giving reasons he did not pick @GovWike as his running mate and that he has no regrets.
Someone should tell our serial presidential election contester that Wike also has no regret for ensuring that he failed in the election and will make sure that he fails again and again,” Olayinka wrote.
Meanwhile, Atiku has announced plans to form a coalition of opposition leaders to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
This move has fueled speculation about the alliance’s leadership, with notable figures such as former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai rumored to be key players.
When asked about his plans to contest in 2027, Atiku remained cautious, emphasizing that a strong political platform must be established first.
“I don’t know because there has to be, first of all, a viable platform, more than any other time in the political history of this country, particularly since the return of democracy,” he said.
However, he did not rule out another bid for the presidency, stressing that Nigeria requires experienced leadership.
Atiku likened the situation to the 2014 formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC), where opposition forces united, contested, and rallied behind a single candidate to secure victory.
“We had a similar merger in 2014. About four of us, or is it three? We all ran for president, and one of us emerged. We all supported the one who emerged, and he won,” Atiku said.
As political alignments shift, the race for Nigeria’s presidency in 2027 is already beginning to take shape.
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