Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory
(FCT), has criticised Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna, over his
recent comments on the possible outcome of the 2027 presidential election.
In an interview on Sunday, el-Rufai said President Bola
Tinubu has no clear path to re-election, adding that the best he could achieve
is a third-place finish.
He said there may be two rounds of the elections, adding
that there is a possibility that no candidate would secure the required
majority in the first round.
Responding to el-Rufai’s remarks on Monday, Wike said the
former Kaduna governor goofed by predicting that Tinubu would come third
without naming who would come first or second.
Wike acknowledged el-Rufai’s frankness but urged him to
ensure his statements are always accurate.
“El-Rufai is my friend, but he failed in this mathematics,
he goofed; he should have completed it, since he knows Tinubu would come third,
he should also provide who would be first and second,” he said.
“How did he arrive at who will be third and and you don’t
arrive at who will be first and second. One thing I like about el-Rufai is that
he speaks his mind but sometimes speaking your mind, say the one that is
correct.
“In this one, I will put a bet, if he agrees, that Tinubu
will win this election squarely.
“He said they should go and ask Jonathan, no two persons are
the same. The mere fact that you were able to succeed in that does not mean you
can do that [again].
“We are also here too. So, as I am sitting down here, do I
look like someone you can come and win Rivers state from? It is not possible.”
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