The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed reports alleging that some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are pressuring him to contest the 2027 presidential election. In a statement on Saturday, Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, described the report as “another lie from idle minds” aimed at creating unnecessary controversy.
According to Olayinka, the story published by an unnamed online platform was a deliberate attempt to mislead the public. “As far as Wike is concerned, it is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu till 2031,” he said, emphasizing that the Minister has been open and consistent about his political stance. He added, “Wike does not function in hiding. He does what he says and says what he does.”
Olayinka clarified that the only PDP meeting held on August 20, 2025, was a gathering of southern stakeholders discussing internal zoning matters ahead of another meeting in Lagos. He said the meeting’s details were publicly released in a joint statement signed by several PDP leaders from the South-East and South-South regions, including state chairmen, lawmakers, and former officials.
He accused critics of engaging in “pull-Wike-down” tactics and urged them to stop spreading false narratives. “Their intention is clear, but unfortunately for them, the person and character of the FCT Minister are known to everyone he does not do anything in hiding,” Olayinka said.
Reaffirming Wike’s political alignment, he stressed that the Minister remains fully committed to President Tinubu’s leadership and the Renewed Hope Agenda. “From now till 2031, Wike stands on the mandate of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Olayinka said, adding that the FCT Minister’s focus remains on transforming Abuja into a world-class capital city through infrastructural development and policy reforms.