2027: Wike Knows Atiku, Obi Could Seek Political Payback, Aide Says

Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has defended his principal’s warning that he could become a target if either Atiku Abubakar or Peter Obi emerges as president in 2027.

Olayinka said Wike was fully aware of the political consequences of his decision to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, particularly because of his history of disagreements with both opposition figures.

Speaking on Arise Television’s The Morning Show on Friday, Olayinka described Wike as a realist who understood that political alliances and decisions could have consequences if power changes hands after the 2027 election.

Wike had recently said he could be among the first politicians targeted if the opposition defeats Tinubu, insisting that his support for the president had made him a potential target but that he had no regrets about his political position.

Explaining the minister’s concern, Olayinka pointed to Wike’s role in the events surrounding the 2023 presidential election. He recalled that Wike and other members of the G-5 opposed Atiku’s presidential bid on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.

According to Olayinka, that history has left Wike with a strained relationship with supporters of Atiku, while his political differences with Obi have also created tensions. He argued that Wike therefore cannot reasonably expect either camp to simply overlook those past disagreements if one of them eventually controls the federal government.

Olayinka stopped short of claiming that Wike had personally used political retaliation against his opponents in the past. Asked about such a possibility, he said he would not make a definitive claim that others had applied it.

He nevertheless maintained that Wike’s fear of political consequences was understandable, saying the minister had “injured” Atiku and Obi politically and should therefore expect some form of reaction. Olayinka added that Wike was not under any illusion that he would automatically regain a friendly relationship with either opposition leader if power changed hands.

The comments come amid growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with Wike firmly aligned with the Tinubu camp while Atiku, Obi and other opposition figures remain involved in efforts to build a stronger challenge to the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Whether political disagreements from the 2023 election will translate into action after 2027 remains uncertain, but Wike’s allies say the minister is preparing for the possibility that his current political alignment could carry consequences if the opposition eventually takes power.