Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has fired back at Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, following the latter’s comments about the 2027 presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Wike had previously stated that Atiku would not be allowed to run for president again under the PDP in the upcoming election.
During a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, Wike suggested that Atiku was actively seeking another chance to become the PDP’s presidential candidate, but he would not be granted that opportunity. Wike further questioned the wisdom of relying on one individual for multiple election cycles, claiming that Atiku had no real prospects for success in 2027.
The Minister had said: “He is lobbying for another chance, but the chance will not be there. In which party? How can we rely on one man for so many years?”
Atiku’s response, delivered through his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, reminded Wike of the former Vice President’s past victories over him. Shaibu pointed out that Atiku had defeated Wike and his ally in the 2019 election and then secured a resounding victory over Wike in the 2023 PDP primaries.
Shaibu also addressed Wike’s apparent obsession with the 2027 presidential race, despite Wike’s public statements indicating that President Bola Tinubu is likely to win the next election.
Shaibu questioned the timing of Wike’s comments, suggesting it was too early to focus on 2027 when the country was facing significant challenges. He emphasized that political leaders should be concentrating on urgent issues such as the worsening economic conditions and growing hunger in Nigeria, rather than engaging in early political maneuvering for future elections.
“If he had the power to distribute presidential tickets like party favours, he’d certainly have kept one for himself. After all, Atiku thoroughly schooled him and his chosen protégé in his own backyard ahead of the 2019 election and then handed him a resounding defeat in the 2023 primaries in Abuja.
“Yet, despite his public proclamation that Tinubu is destined to win in 2027, here he is, obsessing over who gets to be the PDP’s candidate.
“Isn’t it too early in the day for that? Our focus should be on the real issues—the worsening conditions of living for Nigerians.
“This hunger is becoming unbearable; it’s what we should be addressing, not political maneuvers for 2027,” Shaibu said.
