Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has cautioned against growing calls for former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidential election, warning that such a move could destabilise the country.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday night, Wike described the campaign as hypocritical, pointing out that many of those now urging Jonathan to run were the same individuals who abandoned him during his failed 2015 re-election bid.
“Anybody saying Jonathan should return because he will only do one term is only looking for a crisis. These are the same people who frustrated him in 2015. Why now? Jonathan has made a name for himself globally, and they just want to drag him into unnecessary conflict,” he said.
The minister argued that presenting Jonathan or any southern candidate under the guise of a one-term presidency was insincere and a threat to Nigeria’s political balance.
On Nigeria’s current economic challenges, Wike admitted that citizens were experiencing hardship but defended President Bola Tinubu’s policies. “Yes, there is hardship, I agree. But no one can deny that this government is making efforts to improve things. I see the projects in Abuja daily; they are evidence that something is happening,” he said.
He also dismissed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s recent warnings about a looming revolution, accusing him of hypocrisy. “Atiku was vice president for eight years. Why didn’t he lay the foundation to prevent hunger then? Now he keeps talking about hunger and revolution. For me, I don’t even bother reading what he says, because there is no truth in it,” Wike stated.
His remarks come amid reports that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is considering Jonathan and former Anambra Governor Peter Obi as potential candidates for its 2027 ticket. In August, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed described Jonathan as “one of the most celebrated politicians in Nigeria today” and said the party would welcome him if he decided to run.
