Wike Speaks on Reported 2031 Presidential Ambition
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed reports that he is positioning himself to succeed President Bola Tinubu in 2031.
The minister said those speculating about his political future are “taking the position of God.”
Wike spoke on Monday after inspecting some projects in Abuja, amid reports linking his Rainbow Coalition to an alleged plan to build a political structure ahead of the 2031 presidential election.
The former Rivers State governor rejected the claim, saying it was too early for anyone to determine what would happen in 2031.
According to Wike, those discussing his alleged 2031 ambition should first remember that nobody knows what the future holds.
“People like taking the position of God. First of all, you have to pray that you are alive. You must pray to God to keep you alive till tomorrow. It is when God keeps you alive that you know what to do,” he said.
Wike questioned the basis for reports linking him to the 2031 presidential race but added that even if such speculation were eventually to become true, there would be nothing wrong with it.
“How can you be planning 2031 now? Saying that I am positioning myself ahead of the 2031 election is not correct, but assuming it is true, what is wrong?” he asked.
“People are just afraid of their shadows, not me. Let’s pray to be alive first.”
The comments came amid growing controversy over the Rainbow Coalition, an arrangement Wike has been promoting ahead of the 2027 general election.
Wike has maintained that the coalition is primarily aimed at mobilising support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election and has rejected suggestions that the initiative is designed to weaken the All Progressives Congress.
“The coalition is a platform for other political parties that are pleased with the good works of Tinubu and are supporting his re-election,” Wike previously said.
“It has nothing to do with APC. Rather, it is our own way of mobilising support across political parties for Mr President, who has done well to deserve a second term.”
His activities have, however, generated disagreements with some APC governors over the coalition and its implications for the 2027 elections.
Wike on Monday named Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun as the three APC governors he said were opposed to his political activities.
“The governors having issues with me are Governor Hope Uzodimma, Governor Abdulrazaq, and Governor Dapo Abiodun,” Wike said during an appearance on TVC’s Journalists’ Hangout.
He said several other APC governors had no problem with the Rainbow Coalition, mentioning Adamawa, Edo, Kogi, Lagos and Akwa Ibom states.
“Adamawa, Edo, Kogi, Lagos, and Akwa-Ibom state governors do not have a problem with the Rainbow Coalition. I saw Ondo Governor there, and I was shocked,” he said.
“How can a governor leave his state and go to Abuja to complain that Rainbow Coalition is a distraction. Is that a serious governor?” Wike asked.
Uzodimma, who chairs the Progressive Governors Forum, has maintained that APC governors are committed to protecting the party and supporting its candidates.
Wike, who remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party while serving in the administration of President Tinubu, has also clarified that his support for the President does not mean he has agreed that the PDP should abandon its candidates in other elections.
“What I said and stand for is that I will mobilise support for the reelection of the President. I never promised anyone that PDP will not field candidates to contest governorship, National Assembly and States House of Assembly elections,” he said.
The former Rivers governor has repeatedly said his immediate political priority is to support Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
