Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President of Nigeria and the 2023 presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has responded sharply to comments made by Nyesom Wike, Nigeria’s Minister for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), about the 2027 presidential election.
During a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, Wike stated that Atiku Abubakar stood no chance of becoming the PDP’s presidential candidate again in 2027. Wike suggested that Atiku was actively lobbying for another opportunity to run, but claimed that his efforts would be in vain.
Wike expressed his frustration with Atiku’s long-standing involvement in the party’s leadership, saying: “How can we rely on one man for so many years?” He emphasized that the PDP needed new leadership, and that Atiku would not be given the chance to represent the party in the 2027 elections.
Atiku Abubakar’s camp quickly responded to these remarks, with his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, issuing a statement that effectively turned Wike’s criticisms back on him. Shaibu suggested that if Wike had the authority to distribute presidential tickets within the party, he would have certainly allocated the ticket to himself.
Shaibu also reminded Wike of the past elections where Atiku had triumphed over him. Specifically, he pointed out how Atiku had defeated Wike and his allies in the 2019 elections, even on Wike’s home turf, and how he had further outperformed Wike in the 2023 PDP primaries in Abuja.
Shaibu questioned the timing of Wike’s comments, suggesting that it was too early to be concerned with the 2027 election. According to Shaibu, rather than focusing on internal political maneuvers, the priority should be on addressing the immediate concerns of Nigerians, such as the worsening economic conditions and increasing hunger across the country.
Shaibu emphasized that the nation is grappling with serious issues that need urgent attention. He pointed to the growing levels of poverty and the unbearable economic hardship Nigerians are facing, stressing that these are the issues that should dominate political discussions, not speculative debates over the 2027 election.
While Wike’s statement has certainly stirred political debate, Atiku’s response brings the conversation back to the more pressing matters. Shaibu’s words serve as a reminder that political leaders must focus on solving the real problems affecting the citizens. Rather than wasting time on who will be the PDP candidate in 2027, the immediate concerns—like providing relief to struggling Nigerians—should take center stage.
This exchange between Atiku and Wike highlights the tension within the PDP, as well as the broader political landscape in Nigeria. With the 2027 election still years away, it’s clear that some key players within the party are already positioning themselves for what could be a fiercely competitive race. However, as Atiku and his team have pointed out, the priority must remain on improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians in the here and now.
