2027 Presidency: Tinubu’s Victory Will Be Easy – Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu faces a much easier path to victory in the 2027 presidential election, citing what he described as a weak and divided opposition.

Wike made the statement on Tuesday in Abuja while speaking with journalists about the recently concluded Osun State governorship election and the political situation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The minister defended the conduct of the Osun election, saying the Federal Government should be credited for allowing the electoral process to take its course without excessive interference.

He rejected claims that the federal government used its influence to secure an advantage for the All Progressives Congress during the Osun poll. Wike argued that those making such claims may not understand what the use of federal power in an election looks like.

He referred to the 2019 Rivers State election, saying the level of federal security involvement witnessed at the time was different from what took place in Osun.

Wike said the political situation ahead of 2027 was also different from what President Tinubu faced during the 2023 presidential election.

According to him, the 2023 contest was difficult and uncertain for Tinubu, with political leaders and governors unsure of what would happen. He said the situation had changed because the opposition had not built the type of strong structure needed to defeat an incumbent president.

The FCT minister argued that removing a sitting government requires a well-organised opposition that has spent years preparing for the election. He said the current opposition was instead dealing with internal problems and searching for political platforms.

Wike also criticised opposition parties and politicians, including members of the African Democratic Congress and former presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party.

He pointed to the divisions within opposition groups and their performances in recent governorship elections as reasons for his confidence in Tinubu’s chances in 2027.

The minister also referred to the role played by the G5 governors during the 2023 presidential election. He argued that national elections require a wider political structure and support base than governorship contests, which are often shaped by local political factors.

Wike said the outcome of a governorship election should therefore not automatically be used to predict the result of a presidential election.

He maintained that, based on the current political situation, the 2027 presidential race against Tinubu would be difficult for the opposition to win.

The minister also addressed concerns about the country’s economic challenges, urging Nigerians to assess leaders based on the actions taken to deal with problems rather than relying only on emotions or political claims.

He said effective leadership should be judged by the ability of those in government to identify problems, take practical steps and work towards resolving them.

Wike’s comments come as political parties and potential presidential contenders continue to position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections. Opposition groups have been working on possible alliances, while the ruling APC continues to consolidate its political structure across the country.