In a recent media session in Abuja, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, dismissed any prospects of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar securing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket for the 2027 presidential election, stating bluntly that it “will simply not happen.”
Wike pointed out that Atiku, who was the PDP’s presidential candidate in 2023, had repeatedly presented his vision to Nigerians, only to be met with rejection. He commented, “Did he (Atiku) not present it before Nigerians? Did Nigerians choose him? He is lobbying for another chance. The chance will not be there. In which party? How can we use one man for how many years?”
Atiku recently stated that, had he won in 2023, he would have taken a different approach than President Bola Tinubu, which, he claimed, would have spared Nigerians from current hardships. However, Wike countered that presenting a new blueprint would not sway public opinion, comparing Atiku’s situation to that of former U.S. President Donald Trump, suggesting that criticism alone does not guarantee popular support.
“You presented your blueprint in 2023, Nigerians heard you clear and said thank you, but it will not work, we will not support you. Criticisms do not mean opposition is working,” Wike concluded.
