The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed reports suggesting he plans to contest the 2027 presidential election, describing them as false and mischievous.
Speaking on Friday through his spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, Wike said the claim that a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was “pushing” him to run for president was “another lie from idle minds who have nothing to contribute to the development of the country.”
According to Olayinka, Wike remains firmly committed to supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu beyond 2027.
“As far as Wike is concerned, it is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu till 2031,” the statement read. “He does not function in hiding. He does what he says and says what he does.”
Olayinka clarified that the only meeting held on August 20, 2025, involving PDP stakeholders from southern Nigeria, was to discuss the party’s internal zoning arrangements ahead of a consultative summit in Lagos—not to endorse Wike for president.
He noted that the outcome of that meeting was publicly released in a joint statement signed by several PDP leaders, including Austin Nwachukwu (Imo), Abraham Amah (Abia), Venatius Ikem (Cross River), Aniekan Akpan (Akwa Ibom), and Aaron Chukwuemeka (Rivers), among others.
The statement further dismissed online reports linking Wike to any secret political ambition as “mischief” aimed at discrediting his loyalty to President Tinubu.
“The person and character of the FCT Minister are well known—he does not do anything in hiding. He has said it clearly that from now till 2031, it is on the mandate of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu that he will stand,” Olayinka stated.
He added that Wike remains focused on implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda in the FCT, ensuring that the capital city meets global standards in infrastructure and development.