2027: Wike Vows To Give Atiku, Obi ‘High Blood Pressure’

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has said his political activities ahead of the 2027 general election will put pressure on former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and other opposition figures.

Wike made the remark while speaking with journalists in Abuja on Friday.

The FCT minister said he was not interested in making opposition politicians comfortable as preparations for the 2027 presidential election gather momentum.

“So, I don’t care; whatever they feel is not my business,” Wike said.

“I don’t want them to feel well. It is not my wish that they should feel well. My business is to make them not feel well all day, because they will be having high blood pressure.”

Wike added that his duty in politics was to defeat opponents, not to make them feel comfortable.

“I guess that is my job, to make them have high blood pressure. I am not here to make them do well. No, no, no,” he said.

“You see, when you are having a contest with somebody, your business is not to make him feel well. Your business is to make sure that you beat him thoroughly, and he will be sick all through.”

The former Rivers State governor said the opposition had failed to present a strong challenge to President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election.

He said the crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had weakened the party’s ability to act as a formidable opposition platform.

Wike also mentioned the African Democratic Congress, ADC, while dismissing suggestions that the opposition had built a united front against Tinubu.

He said political leaders across different parties were working towards what he described as a larger “Rainbow Coalition” in support of Tinubu’s re-election bid.

According to Wike, the coalition would bring together political figures from various parties who support the president.

The FCT minister specifically spoke about Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, saying the governor was part of the political movement backing Tinubu.

Wike said Adeleke’s recent visit to Abuja was not a routine engagement but part of efforts by political leaders to strengthen the coalition.

“What happened last night is a meeting to rebuild a larger Rainbow Coalition,” Wike said.

“So, Adeleke is fully supporting Mr President, and so we had to meet last night and encourage ourselves to continue.”

He added, “He is in a different party; I am supporting Mr President, and I am in a different party. So, it is a larger Rainbow Coalition.”

Adeleke contested the August 15 Osun governorship election on the platform of the Accord Party.

However, the Imole Campaign Council had dismissed reports that the governor was planning to defect to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The council said Adeleke’s visit to Tinubu was a routine courtesy call and not connected to a plan to join the ruling party.

Wike’s remarks come as political parties and leading politicians continue to make moves ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Atiku is expected to contest the presidential election on the platform of the ADC, while Obi has announced his intention to seek the presidency.

Wike has maintained his support for Tinubu despite remaining a member of the PDP.