Wike Denies Any Knowledge of Jonathan’s Presidential Plans

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Friday dismissed reports linking him to alleged moves for former President Goodluck Jonathan’s return to the presidency.

Speaking during a media interaction aired on TVC, Wike clarified that Jonathan has never discussed any intention to contest the 2027 election with him.

“Jonathan has never told me. He has never called me one day to say, ‘look, I’m being pressured to run.’ If he calls me and asks me, I’ll be able to tell him my mind, what I feel,” Wike said.

He warned Nigerians against relying on unverified media reports, noting that misinformation often spreads under the guise of news. “You put something on the page of some newspaper, just like you said they flew me out of the country. Then, I now assume it’s correct,” he added.

Recent media reports suggest that Jonathan is under pressure from certain stakeholders to abandon thoughts of contesting and instead support the re-election of the current administration. The speculation has sparked debates across the party and the geopolitical zones.

Wike also denied knowledge of former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki, emerging as the PDP chairman. “I don’t know about Tanimu Turaki becoming chairman. Maybe he’s becoming chairman for another faction. It’s not the PDP I know,” he said.

The former Rivers State governor, who served from 2015 to 2023, accused some party leaders, particularly governors, of marginalising key stakeholders in decision-making. He warned that such actions could threaten the party’s future.

“Have I not said before now that the booby trap you are setting will consume you? Have I not told you before now, the way these present governors are doing, they will bury this party?” Wike queried.

Despite no longer holding gubernatorial office, Wike insisted that his contributions to the PDP should afford him inclusion in major consultations. “Are you telling me that because I’m not a governor, you go and hold PDP meetings, call them stakeholders, and then exclude me—and you want to survive? Certainly not,” he said.

Wike remains an influential voice in the PDP, frequently clashing with party leadership over internal crises and power-sharing arrangements.