‘Jonathan Has Not Told Me He Wants to Run for President in 2027’ — Wike

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed reports suggesting that former President Goodluck Jonathan is planning to contest the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking during a media parley with journalists in Abuja on Friday, Wike said Jonathan had never discussed any political ambition with him.

“You’re the one telling me here. Jonathan has never told me; he has never called me one day to say, ‘Look, I’m being pressured to run. What’s your thinking?’ If he calls me and asks, I will be able to tell him my mind and what I feel,” the FCT Minister stated.

Responding to questions about speculations that Jonathan was being pressured to contest, Wike cautioned against believing unverified media reports.

“I will not, because you people put something on the pages of newspapers — just like you said they flew me out of the country — then I now assume it’s correct,” he added.

The minister also distanced himself from reports naming former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), as the consensus candidate for the position of National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“I don’t know about Tanimu Turaki becoming chairman; maybe he becomes chairman for another faction — it’s not the PDP I know,” Wike said.