Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has advised former President Goodluck Jonathan not to contest the 2027 presidential election, urging him to preserve his legacy as an international statesman.
Wike’s comments come amid growing speculation that Jonathan may be considering a return to the presidency under the platform of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). However, the former president has remained silent on the matter.
Wike gave the advice during his monthly media chat with select journalists in Abuja on Monday, saying that, “I know Jonathan very well. He enjoys being respected internationally as a statesman and I believe he will continue in that role.”
The FCT minister took direct aim at those promoting Jonathan’s candidacy for 2027 election, accusing them of hypocrisy and betrayal.
He pointed out that many of the same actors undermined the then President Jonathan during the 2015 election.
“People pushing Jonathan, what strength do they have? Were they not the same people who worked against him in 2015?”
“Those calling for a Jonathan candidacy are the same political actors who ‘played him’ during the 2015 elections,” he said.
Wike also warned the PDP against making decisions that could worsen its ongoing internal crisis, emphasising the need for party unity and strategic thinking.
“For Christ’s sake, nobody should create problems for the party. When you cause problems, you are the one to blame,” he asserted.
The minister also firmly ruled out any intention of running for president in 2027, despite the PDP’s decision to zone its presidential ticket to the south, a region that would include him as a potential aspirant.
“I will not run. I have integrity and I have character. My position is clear. There is no way my appointer is there, and we are saying he should run, and then I turn around and say I want to contest?” Wike stated.
