Politics

As preparations for the 2027 presidential election continue to gather momentum, a fresh political controversy has emerged involving Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi.

Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to Wike, has repeatedly maintained that his principal remains a major political factor ahead of the 2027 election.

Olayinka’s comments come amid growing opposition efforts to build a political alliance capable of challenging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election.

Wike has remained politically influential since the 2023 presidential election, when his disagreement with the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Atiku became one of the major storylines surrounding the election.

Atiku contested the 2023 presidential election on the PDP platform, while Peter Obi contested under the Labour Party after leaving the PDP.

Wike, who had sought the PDP presidential ticket in 2022, later became one of the five governors known as the G5, who demanded changes within the party before the 2023 election.

Olayinka has previously argued that Wike played a significant role in Atiku’s defeat during the 2023 election and suggested that the FCT minister would again work against Atiku if he decides to contest in 2027.

In March 2025, Olayinka reacted strongly after Atiku said he had no regret about not selecting Wike as his running mate for the 2023 election. Atiku had explained that a committee recommended three names, with former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa eventually emerging as his running mate.

Olayinka subsequently claimed that Wike also had no regrets and would work to prevent Atiku from succeeding in another presidential bid.

Olayinka has also questioned Atiku’s chances of becoming president in 2027, pointing to the former vice president’s previous unsuccessful presidential attempts.

According to reports, the Wike aide described a possible 2027 presidential bid by Atiku as another opportunity for defeat, arguing that Atiku would be deceiving himself if he believed he could secure the presidency.

His remarks came after Atiku indicated that he had not finally decided whether to contest the 2027 election, stressing that a viable political platform would be necessary before such a decision could be made.

The relationship between Atiku and Peter Obi has also become an important part of the 2027 political calculations.

The two politicians previously worked together as presidential and vice-presidential candidates on the PDP platform in the 2019 election. However, they later pursued separate political paths, with Obi becoming the Labour Party presidential candidate in 2023.

As opposition figures began discussing a possible coalition against Tinubu, Olayinka argued that Atiku and Obi would face serious difficulties agreeing on who should emerge as the presidential candidate.

In May 2025, he described an Atiku-led coalition as unlikely to succeed if its primary objective was to advance Atiku’s personal presidential ambition. He also questioned whether either Atiku or Obi would accept a political arrangement that required one to surrender the presidential ticket to the other.

The political landscape has continued to evolve, with Atiku, Obi and other opposition figures involved in consultations over a possible alliance against the APC ahead of the 2027 election.

Recent reports indicate that opposition leaders have continued discussions about forming a common political platform to challenge Tinubu, while Wike has publicly maintained his support for the president’s re-election bid.

With the 2027 election drawing closer, Wike’s influence, Atiku’s presidential ambition, Obi’s political future and the possibility of an opposition coalition are expected to remain major subjects of political debate.

For now, Olayinka’s position is clear: he believes Wike remains capable of influencing the political fortunes of both Atiku and Obi, while the former vice president’s return to the presidential race could face significant obstacles.