Wike: My Job Is to Keep Opposition Leaders Under Pressure Ahead of 2027

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said his role in the ongoing political contest is to keep opposition leaders under pressure and ensure they do not become comfortable ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Wike made the statement on Friday while speaking with journalists during an inspection of ongoing infrastructure projects in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The former Rivers State governor was reacting to the state of the opposition as political parties and their leaders begin preparations for the 2027 elections.

He argued that the internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party has weakened the opposition and made it difficult for Nigerians to identify a single, strong opposition party capable of mounting a serious challenge.

According to Wike, the PDP would ordinarily have been regarded as the leading opposition party because of its size and political influence.

However, he said the prolonged crisis within the party has affected its ability to operate as a united and formidable political force.

Wike said he was not interested in making opposition politicians comfortable, insisting that politics is a contest in which every side seeks to defeat its opponents.

He said his objective was to keep the opposition under constant pressure and make it difficult for them to relax politically.

“My business is to make them not to feel well all the days. Because they will be having high blood pressure. Yes, that’s my job,” Wike said.

He further explained that when two sides are involved in a political contest, the responsibility of each side is to work toward defeating the other rather than helping its opponents feel comfortable.

“Your business is to make sure you beat him thoroughly. So that he will be sick all through. And that’s what we are doing to them,” he added.

Wike also dismissed concerns over how former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, might be reacting to the latest political developments.

He said the feelings of the two opposition figures were not a major concern to him, adding that he would continue to focus on the political contest.
Wike stated that if he knew that Atiku or Obi were unhappy with the current political situation, he would simply intensify the pressure on them.

The FCT minister, who remains a member of the PDP despite his long-running disagreements with several leaders of the party, has continued to play an influential role in Nigeria’s political affairs.

His latest comments come as political parties increasingly position themselves for the 2027 elections, with the ruling All Progressives Congress strengthening its campaign structures while opposition parties continue to grapple with internal disagreements and efforts to build a united front.

Wike’s remarks are likely to generate further reactions from opposition politicians, particularly as the political contest ahead of 2027 continues to gather momentum

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