Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said he could become a major target of opposition politicians if President Bola Tinubu fails to win re-election in 2027.
Wike specifically mentioned former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, saying his open support for Tinubu has placed him in a politically vulnerable position should the President lose.
The minister spoke during a media interaction in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Wednesday.
Wike defended his continued campaign for Tinubu despite remaining a member of the Peoples Democratic Party.
He said his political disagreements with opposition figures had made it impossible for him to remain neutral in the 2027 contest.
“Peradventure anything happens and Mr President fails today, I will be the first politician that Atiku or Obi will hunt for his head.”
Wike added that he would not sit back and watch the President lose the election.
The minister has had a long-running political disagreement with Atiku, particularly following the PDP presidential primary in 2022, which Atiku won.
Wike said he had no intention of remaining passive while opposition politicians attempt to defeat Tinubu in 2027.
He questioned why he should simply “fold” his hands and allow Atiku to emerge victorious, particularly given his own political differences with the former vice president.
“You want me to fold my hands for Atiku Abubakar to come and win the election?”
The minister maintained that his support for Tinubu was deliberate and that he would continue working politically to secure the President’s re-election.
Wike also dismissed speculation that his frequent visits to Rivers State indicated plans to relocate from Abuja.
According to him, his trips are aimed at maintaining contact with people in the state and monitoring political developments ahead of the 2027 elections.
He said he would continue carrying out his responsibilities as FCT minister while also remaining actively involved with his political base.
“It’s not about relocating; it’s about coming home to relate with the people and talk to them.”
Wike said he did not want to remain in Abuja and depend entirely on assurances from political associates that everything was going smoothly in Rivers State.
He said visiting the state personally allows him to assess preparations and ask questions about political activities ahead of the elections.
The minister also used the media parley to highlight infrastructure projects executed by the Federal Capital Territory Administration under Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Wike promised that projects initiated during the current administration would be completed before the end of Tinubu’s tenure.
“Before this tenure expires, every project started under Bola Tinubu would have been completed.”
He disclosed that 107 capital projects had been initiated under the Tinubu administration in the FCT, with 76 already completed.
According to him, another 10 projects are expected to be commissioned before the January elections, while the remaining projects will be completed before the administration’s tenure ends.
Wike further disclosed that the FCT Administration had made progress on infrastructure projects inherited from previous federal administrations.
He said 23 of 25 projects inherited from former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration had been completed, leaving two still under construction.
He added that the FCT inherited eight projects from the administrations of former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Umaru Yar’Adua, with six completed and two still ongoing.
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The minister also challenged critics to compare the level of infrastructure development under the Tinubu administration with that of previous governments.
Wike argued that the scale of projects undertaken in Abuja represents an unprecedented level of development in the nation’s capital.
“In the history of the FCT, no government has done what we have done in Abuja. I challenge anyone to come out.”
He reiterated that the FCT Administration would continue working to complete ongoing projects and deliver infrastructure before the end of Tinubu’s tenure.
