From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Minister, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has cautioned former Presidfent Goodluck Jonathan against joining the race for 2027 presidential poll.
He also warned the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) not to re-admit former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi into the party .
Speaking during a media chat in Abuja, Wike advised Jonathan to forgot contesting the presidency in 2027, stressing that the former president should rather continue to enjoy the respect of the people as a statesman. “I know Jonathan very well. He enjoys being respected internationally as a statesman and I believe he will continue in that role,” he said.
He accused some political actors pushing for Jonathan’s candidacy of betrayal, saying, He contended “What is the strength of the people pushing Jonathan; what do they have? Were they not the same people who worked against him in 2015?”
He warned the PDP against creating internal conflicts that could be detrimental, saying, “For Christ’s sake, nobody should create problems for the party. When you cause problems, you are the one to be blamed.”
He also opposed discussions to bring Obi back to the PDP fold. Obi, who ran as the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in 2023, has been reportedly courted by some PDP figures for a return. But, Wike condemned the move, recalling Obi’s past criticisms of the party. “Obi was abusing the party, saying it is rotten. So, now the party is suddenly good enough for him to come and contest on its platform?” he challenged, adding that such a return would be hypocritical and harmful to the party’s unity and credibility. “If you want to destroy this party, then bring Obi back,” he warned, emphasising that Obi’s ambition could make people even go to the Satan’s house.
Addressing the PDP’s forthcoming national convention scheduled for November in Ibadan, Oyo State, he expressed concern that unresolved issues within the party could derail the event. “The issue of the national convention is not the problem, the issue is the problems leading to the convention and people should understand that,” he said. He highlighted the ongoing efforts to resolve disputes and stressed the importance of addressing the problems to avoid setbacks for the party.
On his own political future, he dismissed any plans to contest against President Tinubu in 2027. “I will not run. I have integrity and 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 want to contest?” he declared, underscoring his loyalty and principled stand.
He, however, criticised Obi’s advocacy for a single-term presidency, backing former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s position that such promises were deceptive. “Don’t tell Nigerians such story; when you get there you will now find out if you will run for a second or third term,” he said, warning that political realities often change once a president is in office.
The Minister’s remarks came at a politically charged moment as the PDP grapples with internal challenges, speculations about Jonathan’s possible return to politics, and moves to woo Obi back to the PDP from the Labour Party.
