Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared that he expects to be the first politician targeted by opposition figures if President Bola Tinubu loses the 2027 presidential election. Speaking during a media chat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, Wike said he anticipates that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi would come after him due to his strong support for Tinubu.
Wike's Bold Prediction and Unwavering Support
Wike, a former Rivers State governor, made these remarks while explaining his continued backing of Tinubu's re-election bid. He stated that his open alignment with the president has made him a marked target for opposition politicians. "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 said.
The FCT minister expressed no regrets about his political stance despite the risks he believes it carries. He described Tinubu's re-election as his primary focus, stating, "Each day I sleep, I am thinking about the president's reelection. When I am eating, I think about the president's reelection. Everything I am doing now is about the president's reelection."
Political Context and Alliances Ahead of 2027
Wike's comments come as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Atiku, now associated with the African Democratic Congress, and Obi, affiliated with the Nigeria Democratic Congress, are expected to be major opposition challengers if they secure their parties' nominations.
The relationship between Wike and Atiku has been strained since the 2023 presidential election. Wike, then Rivers State governor, was one of the five PDP governors known as the G5 who opposed the party's campaign under Atiku after internal reform demands were not met. That dispute contributed to a political realignment and remains a source of tension.
Wike's Political Realignment and Future Outlook
Wike has since joined Tinubu's administration as FCT minister while retaining his membership in the Peoples Democratic Party. His latest comments underscore his shift away from his former party's presidential candidate and his view of a potential opposition victory in 2027 as a threat to his political interests.
Wike did not claim that Atiku or Obi had personally threatened him; his remarks were an expression of his belief about the political consequences of a Tinubu defeat. He reiterated that he would continue to support Tinubu's re-election despite the potential fallout, signaling his commitment to the president's second-term bid.
