Wike Knows Atiku, Obi May Target Him If They Win In 2027 – Lere Olayinka

Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said his principal is aware that he could face political retaliation if either former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar or Peter Obi emerges as Nigeria’s president in 2027.

Olayinka made the remarks on Arise Television’s The Morning Show on Friday while defending Wike’s recent warning that he could be among the first politicians targeted if the opposition defeats President Bola Tinubu at the 2027 presidential election.

Wike had said his decision to openly support Tinubu’s re-election had made him a target of opposition forces, but maintained that he had no regrets about his political stance.

“I will be the first politician that I think they will come after. I will be the first politician. I know they will come for my head,” Wike had said.

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Explaining the minister’s concerns, Olayinka described Wike as a realist who understands the political implications of his decisions and alliances.

“One thing you must understand about Wike is that he is a realist. He does not deceive himself. If today government changes, he knows he was part of those who were instrumental to Atiku not winning the election,” Olayinka said.

He linked the strained relationship between Wike and Atiku to the 2023 presidential election, when Wike and other members of the G-5 opposed Atiku’s candidacy.

“So Atiku people see Wike as an enemy, who did not allow Atiku to win election in 2023. The same thing with Peter Obi people. So, if Atiku becomes president today, he (Wike) is automatically a target. So he knows,” he said.

Olayinka was also asked whether Wike had previously employed the possibility of political retaliation against his opponents.

He declined to make a definitive assertion, saying, “I’m not going to tell you that people have applied it.”

However, he argued that Wike’s concerns were understandable given the extent of his political disagreements with Atiku and Obi.

“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 a payback,” Olayinka said.

According to him, Wike understands that his current political alignment could have consequences if power changes hands after the 2027 election.

“So he’s not deceiving himself to believe that if Atiku become president tomorrow, he will now become Atiku’s friend. No, he is not deceiving himself to have that kind of belief,” he said.