Lere Olayinka, media aide to Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, has said his principal will oppose former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s presidential bid in 2027.
Olayinka’s remark came in response to Atiku’s recent statement that he had no regrets for not choosing Wike as his running mate in the 2023 election.
Atiku, who contested under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had explained that a committee shortlisted three candidates—former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Wike, and ex-Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel—before Okowa was selected.
Reacting in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, March 26, Olayinka dismissed Atiku’s explanation, asserting that Wike, too, had no regrets and was instrumental in Atiku’s 2023 loss.
“Two years after making the @OfficialPDPNig lose a presidential election it could have won, @atiku is giving reasons he did not pick @GovWike as his running mate and that he has no regrets.
Someone should tell our serial presidential election contester that Wike also has no regret for ensuring that he failed in the election and will make sure that he fails again and again,”Olayinka wrote.
Meanwhile, Atiku has unveiled plans to form a coalition of opposition leaders to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
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The initiative has sparked speculation over potential key players, with former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai rumoured to be involved.
When asked about his plans to contest again, Atiku remained noncommittal, stressing that the focus should be on building a strong political platform.
“I don’t know because there has to be, first of all, a viable platform, more than any other time in the political history of this country, particularly since the return of democracy,” he said.
However, he did not rule out another run, insisting that Nigeria needs experienced leadership.
Atiku compared the situation to the 2014 formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC), where opposition parties united, contested, and ultimately backed a single candidate who won.
“We had a similar merger in 2014. About four of us, or is it three? We all ran for president, and one of us emerged. We all supported the one who emerged, and he won,” he said.
With political manoeuvring already underway, the race for 2027 is beginning to take shape.