Wike Claims Atiku Can't Win 2027 Presidential Election

On September 2, 2026, Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, declared that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar cannot win the presidential election scheduled for January 16, 2027. Wike cited Atiku's decision to run for the presidency under the African Democratic Congress as a violation of the rotational power principle, which he believes is crucial for equity, fairness, and justice in Nigerian politics.

Wike linked his current opposition to Atiku to his previous stance as a member of the G5 Governors, who worked to undermine Atiku's candidacy in the 2023 elections. He emphasized that the G5's collective decision stemmed from the PDP's failure to balance political power between the North and South.

Wike expressed unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, indicating that the consequences of a Tinubu defeat in 2027 weighed heavily on him. He also announced plans to regularly visit his political base for consultations and mobilization efforts ahead of the elections.