Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed speculation about his presidential ambition, saying he will not contest the 2027 election.
The former Rivers State governor made the declaration on Monday, September 1, during his monthly media chat in Abuja.
He explained that although the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has zoned its presidential ticket to the South, running against President Bola Tinubu, who appointed him, would betray his principles.
“I will not run. I have integrity, I have character. There is no way my appointer is there, and we are saying he should run, and then I turn around and say I should run,” Wike said.
According to him, his stance is not about political calculation but about loyalty and principle. He also argued that the PDP remains intact today largely because of his dedication to the party.
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“I have said if we don’t love PDP, by now you won’t be hearing that name. I don’t need to be a governor for me to do what I want to do,” he said.
Wike added that internal conflict is the greatest threat to any opposition party. He warned that arrogance and impunity would only weaken the PDP further.
“One thing people don’t understand is if you have a problem, don’t continue to give yourself more problems, try to restrict yourself to the small one you have than to add up other problems.
“No opposition party can survive when they have a serious crisis, the duty of the opposition party is to see whatever way they can solve their problem and it’s not by being arrogant and doing impunity. I don’t need to be a governor before I cause a small problem,” he said.
Wike’s comments appear to set the tone for his political future, one marked more by influence from behind the scenes than pursuit of Nigeria’s top job.