The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said he could become the first political target of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu loses his bid for a second term in 2027.
Wike made the statement on Wednesday during a media interaction in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, while explaining his decision to continue supporting Tinubu despite retaining his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The minister said his open backing of the President had placed him in a vulnerable political position, particularly given his strained relationship with some opposition figures.
Wike has been at odds with Atiku since the 2022 PDP presidential primary, where Atiku secured the party’s ticket ahead of Wike and other contenders.
His political relationship with Obi has also been complicated by their different choices during the 2023 presidential election. Obi, then the Labour Party candidate, had sought Wike’s support, but the former Rivers State governor eventually backed Tinubu.
Explaining why he remains committed to Tinubu’s re-election campaign, Wike said he could not afford to remain passive and watch the President lose the 2027 election.
“My concern is, I will support Mr President. If you watch what is happening today and look at it, peradventure anything happens and Mr President fails today, I will be the first politician that Atiku or Obi will hunt for his head.
“I challenge anybody. So, I won’t make that mistake of sleeping to see that the President loses the election,” Wike said.
His comments come amid growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with opposition parties and political blocs intensifying efforts to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Wike has maintained that his support for Tinubu is based on his assessment of the President’s performance and political direction, even as his continued membership of the PDP has generated debate within the party and across the political landscape.
