The Minister responsible for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, states that former President Goodluck Jonathan has not communicated to him any intention to run in the 2027 presidential election.
Wike offered this comment during a media interaction with journalists on Friday, October 24, while addressing inquiries regarding rumors that Jonathan was facing encouragement to re-enter the presidential contest.
“You’re the one telling me here. Jonathan has never told me; he has never called me one day that, look, I’m being pressured to run, what’s your thinking? If he calls me and asks me, I will be able to tell him my mind and what I feel,” Wike said. He further noted that he would not “assume it’s correct” simply because it was reported in the newspapers.
Regarding the selection of former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), as the consensus candidate for the role of National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Wike separated himself from the matter.
“I don’t know about Tanimu Turaki becoming chairman; maybe he becomes chairman for another faction—it’s not the PDP I know,” he declared. The PDP Northern stakeholders had lately supported Turaki as their consensus candidate in preparation for the party’s national convention set for November 15–16.
Wike additionally rejected the forthcoming convention as unlawful, suggesting that he would not participate.
“How do you want me to attend a convention that I know by law that there is no convention?” he asked.
The Minister’s statements arise amidst accounts that former President Jonathan is allegedly facing significant pressure to abandon his rumored 2027 presidential aspiration and instead back President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli
