In what some see as a confession of political indebtedness and others interpret as a calculated survival strategy, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that he will not contest the 2027 presidential election at least not against President Bola Tinubu, the man he now loyally serves.
“I will not contest. Why will I contest against someone I’m working for?” Wike told BBC News Pidgin over the weekend, adding for emphasis: “Who will win except him?”
For a man who once thundered through Nigeria’s political corridors as a lion of the opposition PDP and self-styled defender of Southern equity, Wike’s sudden submission to Tinubu’s presidency is raising eyebrows — and not just because of his words.
It’s the messy trail of betrayal, corruption allegations, and double-dealing that’s causing Nigerians to wonder: Is Wike choosing loyalty, or simply avoiding exposure?
A Man of Many Masks
Wike’s political story is not short of twists. From weaponizing power in Rivers State to wrecking his own party’s presidential bid in 2023, Wike has built a reputation for fighting hard often dirty and flipping tables when he’s not at the head.
In the run-up to the last general elections, Wike led the infamous G5 Governors, a rebellious faction within the PDP that effectively undermined the presidential ambitions of Atiku Abubakar. Many believe his silent pact with the APC and Tinubu’s camp helped deliver Rivers State and perhaps more into the hands of the ruling party.
That same Wike now says he cannot challenge Tinubu because he’s “working with him.” But critics say it’s less about collaboration and more about cover. After all, politics in Nigeria is often a sanctuary for the compromised.
Corruption Allegations and the APC Shield
Wike’s tenure as governor of Rivers State was marred by a long list of unresolved corruption allegations, including opaque project contracts, bloated budgets, and questionable spending on uncompleted flyovers and white elephant monuments.
Now under Tinubu’s umbrella, the same Wike who once called APC a “cancer to democracy” has become its most flamboyant poster boy. With the immunity and influence that comes from being close to the presidency, Wike appears to have switched camps, not values.
“Wike isn’t avoiding contesting. He’s avoiding scrutiny,” a political analyst told Tribune Online off-record. “The minute he steps out of the protection of federal power, the knives could come out even from within his own party.”
Back to the PDP or Just Back for a Deal?
Despite publicly denying any intention to run, Wike recently shocked observers by appearing at a PDP Governors’ Forum meeting in Abuja a political home he had scorched and sabotaged just over a year ago.
His attendance immediately sparked whispers: Is Wike eyeing a return to PDP? Is he negotiating a soft landing in case the APC ship sinks? Or is this just another Wike-style chess move to keep everyone guessing?
Analysts say his reappearance may be less about ideology and more about influence an effort to ensure that no matter who wins in 2027, Wike remains untouchable.
Wike’s New Role: From Bulldozer to Butler
As FCT Minister, Wike has tried to reinvent himself from political warlord to urban development czar. But critics say the transformation is cosmetic at best.
“He talks about building Abuja, but we all know Wike builds empires for himself first,” said an Abuja-based civil society advocate.
In a political system where ambition is often disguised as loyalty, Wike’s new song of allegiance to Tinubu sounds more like a pledge of silence in exchange for safety.
Final Word: What’s Wike Really Running From?
Wike may claim he won’t contest against Tinubu in 2027, but the bigger question is: What is he afraid might come out if he tries?
Behind his loud declarations and sudden loyalty lies a trail of power games, party betrayals, and a vault of secrets that may never survive the heat of a full-blown presidential campaign.
For now, the once-feared Rivers strongman is playing the good servant. But in Nigerian politics, loyalty is rarely free and almost never permanent.
Reference
“I Can’t Contest Against Tinubu in 2027” Wike Bows Out, But Not Without Baggage