2027: We have new tactics in place to checkmate Atiku, Obi – Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revealed how the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) G5 governors deployed a political strategy during the 2023 presidential election to prevent former Vice President Atiku Abubakar from benefiting from the South-South region.

Wike made the disclosure while speaking after an inspection of several ongoing projects in Abuja, including roads in Kaura, Life Camp and Gwarinpa, as well as the IBB Golf Course and the Gudu project near Apo Legislative Quarters.

The minister said the G5 identified Atiku, who was the PDP’s presidential candidate at the time, as the major political threat in the South-South, a region where the PDP had traditionally enjoyed significant support.

According to Wike, the strategy was to allow the Labour Party’s Peter Obi to benefit from some of the votes rather than allow them to consolidate behind Atiku.

“Our strategy was that, listen, you vote, make sure that you vote for Obi to win, in order to deny Atiku the votes,” Wike said.

He explained that the G5 believed that a strong performance by the PDP in the South-South would benefit Atiku, while votes going to Obi would not translate into the same advantage for the former Vice President.

Recent reports of Wike’s comments similarly quoted him as saying the G5 deliberately allowed Obi to gain in parts of the South-South because Atiku was considered the greater threat.

Wike, however, said Rivers State was treated differently because of the political implications the G5 believed an Obi victory could create.

The minister rejected suggestions that the strategy amounted to manipulating the election outcome in Rivers State, arguing that no evidence was presented at the election tribunal to establish claims that Obi had won the state.

“Did anybody tender any result from Rivers State that, ‘Look, this is the result, we won’? Did anybody? It’s unfair. It’s unfortunate there’s nothing we can do,” he said.

He maintained that every political group had a strategy during the election and that such calculations were part of electoral politics.

“We have our strategy in this election, and whether you like it or not, it’s not for us to let the cat out of the bag,” he said.

Wike also argued that his political opposition at the time was primarily directed at Atiku rather than Obi.

“When you are strategizing to win an election, you look at a lot of factors: who is my threat? If this is my threat, this is a lesser threat, and I know what to do so as to make sure that the vote of my major threat does not increase,” he said.

He further argued that electoral manipulation could not succeed in areas where a candidate lacked popular support.

“You cannot rig an election where you are not popular. You cannot! If you try that, then you see what happens; people will resist it,” Wike said.

The minister’s comments come amid renewed political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections. Wike has also recently argued that the political circumstances that helped Obi in 2023 have changed, including the dynamics in the South-South.

Wike Gives Project Completion Dates

Speaking on the projects inspected during the tour, Wike said the road and bridge project in Kaura District was expected to be completed and handed over by December 15.

He also said the Collector Road C2 in Life Camp, including its link to the Old Keffi Road, would be completed and handed over in December.

On Arterial Road N16 in Gwarinpa, the minister said the contractor had assured him that the project would be completed by the first week of January.

He acknowledged the difficult terrain in the area but said the completion of the road would significantly improve connectivity within Gwarinpa.

Wike also inspected the IBB International Golf Course, which has been closed following a dispute among some of its members.

He said a committee headed by the President of the Court of Appeal had been constituted to address the issues surrounding the facility.

According to the minister, President Bola Tinubu had directed that the golf course be reopened because of its importance to the Presidency and the diplomatic community.

Wike said work on the facility was progressing towards readiness for a scheduled tournament in November.

“I am happy if these projects are completed before the election time; it will be a Christmas gift to the residents of Abuja by Mr President,” he said.

FCT Budget Implementation Hits 60%

On the implementation of the FCT budget, Wike said the territory’s 2026 capital budget had recorded at least 60 per cent performance despite delays in the release of funds.

He said the delay had initially affected payments to contractors but added that implementation was now progressing following the President’s assent to the budget.

The minister also responded to questions about criticisms from a lawmaker concerning a loan, urging politicians seeking re-election to present their records to voters.

“The issue now is, if you want to run in the election, go and tell people: assuming that I took a loan, what did you do? You did nothing. That means you are not a good legislator, you didn’t do your work,” he said.

Wike also claimed that residents of the FCT had already indicated their preference by supporting former Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda.

The minister’s remarks come as political parties and emerging coalitions intensify preparations for the 2027 elections, with political actors increasingly discussing strategies for both the presidential and sub-national contests.

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