Wike Was Open About Tinubu Support, Says Media Aide
Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has rejected claims that the minister acted treacherously by supporting President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Speaking during an interview on Arise TV on Friday, Olayinka said Wike had never concealed his political position and had declared his support for Tinubu even before the Peoples Democratic Party presented its presidential candidate, Professor Sandy Onor. He described the term “treacherous” as inappropriate, arguing that Wike had consistently made his position known publicly. Olayinka added that Wike had told Onor that although he was free to contest the election, the condition of the PDP would make it difficult for the party to make a significant impact. He also argued that not every candidate entering an election necessarily does so with the expectation of winning, saying some may primarily seek to register their presence.
From the left President Bola Ahmed Tinubu & Minister of the FCT Nyesom Wike. SOURCE:GOOGLE
Olayinka further defended Wike’s position that Tinubu could have an easy victory in 2027, attributing the assessment to what he described as weaknesses within the opposition. He questioned the chances of several opposition parties, citing the 14,600 votes secured by African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore in the 2023 election. He also questioned the strength of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, claiming it had no governorship candidates in 15 of the 28 states where governorship elections would be held in 2027, while he said the African Democratic Congress lacked governorship candidates in nine of the states. Olayinka argued that parties needed strong grassroots structures and polling-unit agents to compete effectively, noting that Nigeria has 176,846 polling units. He maintained that Wike’s prediction of an easy victory for Tinubu was based on his assessment that the opposition lacked the structure to mount a serious challenge.
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