The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has issued a stern warning to political actors advocating for former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidential election, stating that such efforts are hypocritical and could lead to national destabilization. During an interview on Channels Television's Politics Today on Thursday night, Wike highlighted the inconsistency of those now supporting Jonathan, many of whom abandoned him during his 2015 re-election bid.
“Anybody saying Jonathan should return because he will only do one term is only looking for a crisis,” Wike stated. “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 emphasized that promoting Jonathan or any southern candidate under the pretext of a single-term presidency lacks sincerity and threatens Nigeria’s political equilibrium.
This caution comes amid recent discussions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed indicated that the party is considering Jonathan as a potential candidate for the 2027 ticket, alongside figures like former Anambra Governor Peter Obi. Mohammed praised Jonathan as “one of the most celebrated politicians in Nigeria today” and expressed openness to his return if he chooses to run.
In the same interview, Wike addressed Nigeria's ongoing economic challenges, acknowledging hardships but defending President Bola Tinubu’s administration for implementing necessary reforms. “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. Wike also dismissed criticisms from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar regarding potential unrest due to hunger, accusing him of failing to address such issues during his own tenure.