Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has declared that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar would face a difficult battle in the South if President Bola Tinubu encounters challenges in the North ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Wike made the declaration while recalling the strategy adopted by the G5 governors during the 2023 presidential election, saying the group deliberately worked to frustrate Atiku’s chances across parts of the South.
According to him, the political calculation that shaped the 2023 election could again come into play as the battle for the 2027 presidency gathers momentum.
“If Tinubu has problem in the North, Atiku will have in the South,” Wike said.
The former Rivers State governor explained that the G5 governors identified Atiku as the major opposition to Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election and moved to weaken his support base in the South.
“This was the G5 governors’ strategy in 2023,” he said.
“We knew the man contesting against Tinubu in 2023 was Atiku. We wanted then Benue State governor to support Obi. We also told Cross River to support Obi and Oyo to support him. This was done to defeat Atiku.”
Wike also dismissed claims about the popularity of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Peter Obi, saying the former Labour Party presidential candidate’s public reception does not necessarily translate into widespread electoral support.
He said Obi may enjoy significant attention whenever his supporters chant his name at public events, but insisted that such excitement should not be mistaken for broad political popularity.
“To Obi, he is very popular each time people shout ‘Obi, Obi’. After the NBA Conference, where they shouted his name, I’m sure he went home satisfied. But in the real sense, he is not popular,” Wike said.
The FCT Minister’s comments come as political alignments and realignments continue ahead of the 2027 general election, with the major contenders and their supporters already positioning themselves for the presidential race.
