The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has dismissed the possibility of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election.
Wike, who spoke during a live media session in Abuja on Wednesday evening, asserted that Atiku’s repeated attempts at winning the presidency have left Nigerians unimpressed.
“Atiku has no chance in the PDP for 2027. It will simply not happen,” Wike declared, making it clear that he believes the party should seek fresh faces and new ideas.
Wike’s statements come as Atiku, the PDP’s presidential candidate in 2023, recently shared that he would have taken a different approach from current President Bola Tinubu, had he won the election.
Atiku argued that under his leadership, Nigerians would not be experiencing the current economic challenges, implying that he had a better blueprint for the country.
But Wike was quick to counter this view, pointing to Atiku’s past campaigns and previous failures.
“Did he not present it (blueprint) before Nigerians?” Wike asked during the media parley. “Did Nigerians choose him? He is lobbying for another chance. The chance will not be there. In which party?”
The former governor of Rivers State insisted that Atiku has exhausted his opportunities with the Nigerian people, who he believes have already spoken through the ballot box.
Wike did not stop at Atiku’s recent defeat but also criticized his multiple attempts to secure the presidency over the years.
“How can we use one man for how many years?” Wike questioned, highlighting Atiku’s numerous bids for the presidency since 1993.
He added that Atiku’s persistence reflects poorly on the PDP’s image and its need for revitalization, saying, “We need to move forward as a party and bring in new leaders.”
Wike also made comparisons to American politics, suggesting that, just as Americans made their choices based on their country’s needs, Nigerians have already made their choice clear by rejecting Atiku.
“Look at America,” he said. “I am sure you all did not support Trump, saying he is this, he is a racist, he is that, we are crying. But Americans were thinking about something else, thinking for the good of their own country and made a decision.”
According to Wike, Nigerian voters have likewise made a decision on Atiku.
“You presented your blueprint in 2023,” Wike continued, “Nigerians heard you clearly and said thank you, but it will not work. We will not support you.”
Wike’s stance against Atiku’s future political ambitions echoes sentiments from a growing faction within the PDP that believes the party needs fresh leadership.
Many party members have expressed concern that repeatedly fielding the same candidate has hindered the PDP’s ability to present itself as a vibrant alternative to the ruling party.
Atiku’s supporters, however, argue that his experience and leadership qualities make him the right candidate to address Nigeria’s current economic and social challenges.
They claim that Wike’s remarks are an attempt to further divide the party at a time when unity is crucial.
One supporter, who preferred to remain anonymous, said, “Atiku has dedicated his life to this country. If anyone understands Nigeria’s problems and has solutions, it is him.”
But Wike remains firm in his position, asserting that criticisms of the current administration do not automatically qualify Atiku as the right leader.
“Criticisms do not mean opposition is working,” Wike added, emphasizing that the PDP’s role should be to provide a viable alternative, not just to criticize the ruling party.
