Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said the minister’s concern about possible political retaliation under a future administration led by Atiku Abubakar or Peter Obi is justified.
Olayinka made the remark on Arise Television’s The Morning Show on Friday while discussing Wike’s recent warning that he could be among the first politicians targeted if the opposition defeats President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Wike had said his decision to openly back Tinubu’s re-election had placed him in the crosshairs of opposition politicians, although he maintained that he remained unrepentant 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.
Explaining the minister’s position, Olayinka described Wike as a realist who understands the political implications of his decisions, particularly his role in the events surrounding the 2023 presidential election.
“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 recalled that Wike’s disagreement with Atiku dates back to the 2023 election, when the former Rivers State governor and other members of the G-5 opposed Atiku’s presidential bid.
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“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,” Olayinka said.
When asked whether Wike had himself employed the threat of political retaliation against opponents in the past, Olayinka said he would not make a categorical assertion.
“I’m not going to tell you that people have applied it,” he said.
He nevertheless argued that Wike’s apprehension was understandable, considering the extent of his political disputes 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.
Olayinka further said Wike was fully aware that his current political alignment could have consequences should power change 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.