Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has cautioned that those asking former President Goodluck Jonathan to run in the 2027 presidential election are actively conspiring to plunge the country into crisis.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday night, Wike said it was hypocritical for the same individuals who opposed Jonathan’s ambition in 2015 to suddenly advocate for his return, despite his established status as an international statesman.
“Anybody saying Jonathan should return because he will only do one term is only looking for a crisis. These are the same people who abandoned him in 2015. Why now? Jonathan has made a name for himself globally, and they just want to drag him into unnecessary conflict,” Wike said.
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The minister warned against attempts to disrupt the political equilibrium by campaigning for Jonathan or any other South-south candidate under the cover of a one-term presidency, calling such moves disingenuous.
Wike acknowledged that the country was going through a difficult period under President Bola Tinubu’s government, but he emphasised that the president had made tough but essential decisions to reorient the economy.
“Yes, there is hardship. I agree. But no one can deny that this government is making efforts to improve things. I see the projects in Abuja daily; they are evidence that something is happening,” he stressed.
Wike also dismissed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s recent warnings of a looming revolution over hunger and poverty, accusing him of hypocrisy.
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“Atiku was vice president for eight years. Why didn’t he lay the foundation to prevent hunger then? Now he keeps talking about hunger and revolution. For me, I don’t even bother reading what he says, because there is no truth in it,” Wike further stated.
The FCT minister stressed that, while Nigerians must be patient with the Tinubu administration, opposition politicians should not use present economic issues for political benefit.
