2027: I Will Crush Your Presidential Ambition Again, Wike Threatens Atiku
Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has vowed that his principal will block former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s path to the presidency in 2027.
Olayinka made this declaration while responding to Atiku’s recent remark that he had no regrets about not choosing 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 committee had presented him with three potential running mates—former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Wike, and ex-Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel—before he ultimately settled on Okowa.
Reacting via a post on X on Wednesday, Olayinka dismissed Atiku’s statement, asserting that Wike also had no regrets about losing the vice-presidential ticket.
He insisted that Wike played a role in Atiku’s 2023 defeat and would ensure history repeats itself 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 the formation of a coalition of opposition leaders aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
The move has fueled speculation over who will lead the alliance, with former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai being touted as key figures.
When asked whether he would contest again, Atiku remained noncommittal, stating that establishing a formidable political platform was the priority.
“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.
Despite making six unsuccessful attempts at the presidency, Atiku did not rule out another bid.
“I have not seen Nigeria in such dire need of experienced and credible leadership as it is now,” he said.
Drawing parallels with the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2014, Atiku recalled how opposition forces united, contested, and eventually backed 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,” he added.
