Wike Dismisses Atiku’s 2027 Presidential Hopes, Says Nigerians Have Rejected His Blueprint

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed the possibility of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar securing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket for the 2027 general election, asserting that it simply “will not happen.”

Speaking at a live media session on Wednesday in Abuja, Wike remarked that Atiku had repeatedly presented his vision to Nigerians but had consistently been rejected.

Atiku, who ran as the PDP’s presidential candidate in 2023, recently stated that if he had won, he would have taken a different approach from President Bola Tinubu and believes Nigerians would not be facing the current level of hardship.

Wike commented, “Did he [Atiku] not present his blueprint to Nigerians? Did they choose him? Now he’s lobbying for another chance. The chance will not be there. In which party? How can we keep relying on one man year after year?”

Referring to the decision-making process of other nations, Wike added, “Look at America. Many didn’t support Trump, calling him divisive, but Americans made a choice they felt was for their country’s good.”

He concluded, “You presented your blueprint in 2023, Nigerians heard it clearly and said ‘thank you,’ but they decided otherwise. Criticisms alone don’t mean the opposition is succeeding.”