2027: ‘My Job Is To Make Them Unwell’ — Wike Threatens More Trouble For Atiku, Obi

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has vowed to intensify political pressure on African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 general election.

Wike made the remarks on Friday in Abuja while speaking with journalists during an inspection of infrastructure projects across the FCT.

The former Rivers State governor said he was prepared to make the political contest more difficult for both opposition figures, using “high blood pressure” as a metaphor for the pressure he intends to mount on them.

Wike also dismissed the idea that Nigeria currently has a clearly established leading opposition party, arguing that the political space is fragmented by internal crises and struggles for relevance.

“I have told you, when you say we are leading the opposition, I have told you there is no opposition. What do you have? People who are just looking to see if they can stay relevant,” he said.

According to Wike, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would ordinarily have occupied the position of the country’s leading opposition party, but its internal challenges have weakened its ability to play that role.

He said he was not concerned about how Atiku or Obi perceived the current political situation, stressing that his focus was on defeating his opponents at the polls.

“I am not here to make them feel well. 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,” Wike said.

The FCT minister added that he intended to make the political battle even tougher for the two opposition candidates.

“How Atiku feels, how Obi feels, does not give me a headache. In fact, if I knew how they feel now, I would add more crises for them,” he added.