2027: Jonathan has not told me he wants to run for president  —  Wike

The Minister in charge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stated that he has not received any notification from former President Goodluck Jonathan about an intention to run in the presidential election of 2027.

Wike expressed this during a press conference with journalists in Abuja on Friday while addressing inquiries regarding rumors that Jonathan was being coaxed into re-entering the presidential race.

“You are the one who is bringing this to my attention. Jonathan has never mentioned anything to me; he's never contacted me to say, I’m being urged to campaign, what do you think? If he were to reach out to me and inquire, I would certainly share my opinions with him,” Wike commented.

He continued, “I won’t take your statements from the newspapers — similar to when you claimed I was flown abroad — and simply assume that they are true.”

Regarding the announcement of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), the former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, as the chosen candidate for the role of National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Wike separated himself from the situation, stating that he has no knowledge of it.

“I have no information about Tanimu Turaki becoming chairman; perhaps he is becoming the leader for a different faction—it’s not the PDP I am familiar with,” he remarked.

Recently, Northern members of the PDP have endorsed Turaki as their unified candidate in advance of the party's national convention set for November 15-16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

In a further statement, Wike referred to the forthcoming convention as unlawful, suggesting that he might choose not to participate.

“How is it possible for me to join a convention that I am aware, based on legal grounds, is invalid?” he questioned.

In the meantime, reports indicate that former President Jonathan is facing significant pressure to abandon his rumored ambition for the 2027 presidency and to support President Bola Tinubu’s campaign for re-election.

According to Vanguard, this pressure is being led by prominent figures from the Niger Delta, among them ex-militant leader Chief Government Ekpemupolo, widely known as Tompolo.

Additionally, some of Jonathan’s relatives from the Niger Delta are reported to have encouraged him to forgo any aspirations to regain political office and instead endorse Tinubu’s pursuit of a second term.

@VanguargNg