Wike's Spokesman Defends Concerns Over Political Retaliation

Lere Olayinka, the spokesman for Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), defended Wike's apprehensions regarding possible political retaliation from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi if President Bola Tinubu loses the 2027 presidential election. Wike expressed fears of being targeted politically, stating, “I will be the first politician that I think they will come after.” During an appearance on Arise Television’s The Morning Show, Olayinka explained that Wike recognizes the significant deterioration in his political relationships with both Atiku and Peter Obi.

He emphasized that Wike does not expect any reconciliation with them should they win the upcoming election, stating, “He has injured Atiku too much. He has injured Peter Obi too much, and when you injure people politically, you should expect a kind of payback.”.