• Bets on Tinubu’s re-election, dismisses el-Rufai’s projection
• Says Atiku, Obi driven by frustration, ignorant of law on Rivers election
• Nigerians, not APC or PDP, will decide 2027 presidential election, says Atiku
• Obidient Movement dismisses ‘fresh propaganda waves’ against Peter Obi
• Obi raises alarm over Nigeria’s lowest global life expectancy, maternal deaths
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, yesterday flaunted the twin credentials of “integrity and character” as reasons why he would not contest against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections.
Speaking during a media chat in Abuja, Wike said, “I have integrity and character. My appointor is running. There is no way I would contest against him.” He added that he was ready to “place a bet” on Tinubu’s re-election, contrary to forecasts by former Kaduna governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
“I can place a bet with confidence that President Bola Tinubu will win the 2027 presidential election,” Wike stated, while questioning El-Rufai’s projection. “I heard someone say Mr President will come third in 2027. I don’t know the maths he used. But my concern is, if he (Tinubu) will come third, who will come first and second?”
El-Rufai, in an interview with Channels Television the previous day, had predicted that Tinubu had “no pathway to win” in 2027 and could finish third, warning that there might be no outright winner in the first ballot.
The FCT minister also defended the legality of the just-concluded local government elections in Rivers State, declaring that emergency rule provided constitutional cover for their conduct.
Speaking about the backlash following the polls, Wike said critics of the exercise, particularly former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra governor Peter Obi, were ignorant of the law and driven by political frustration.
He explained that the Federal High Court had given Rivers State the legal basis to conduct the elections despite subsisting disputes, stressing that emergency rule empowered the President to make regulations for governance in affected states.
“Under emergency rule, certain aspects of the law are suspended to allow government function. The sole administrators act on behalf of the President. Funds are made available in line with Supreme Court pronouncements,” Wike said.
He faulted Atiku for questioning the exercise, arguing that the former vice president was unaware that former President Olusegun Obasanjo had signed amendments on emergency powers in 2004. “What you don’t know, don’t comment about. This is law, not Customs. Atiku does not have the knowledge,” he charged.
On Obi, Wike mocked the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate for describing the Rivers polls as “rascality.” “Who can be more rascal than Obi? As governor for eight years, he could not conduct an election two months before leaving office. Doctors were on strike for 13 months under him. He has no moral authority to lecture anyone on democracy,” Wike declared.
Wike warned Bauchi State Governor and Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum, Bala Mohammed, against moves to bring former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, back to the PDP. He said bringing Obi back to the PDP and giving him the presidential ticket would destroy the party.
“Bringing Obi to where? You want to kill the party? Obi that was abusing the party, saying it is rotten — so the party is now good enough for him? Ambition can make people even go to Satan’s house,” he said.
Asked about an alleged alliance between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the elections, the minister dismissed suggestions that the APC’s victories in Rivers portend a national trend ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Every election has its peculiarity. What is important is that for the first time in our history, no gunshots, no hijacking of ballot boxes, no kidnapping of returning officers. If there is an alliance between APC and PDP in Rivers, then Nigerians should commend us for achieving peaceful elections,” he said.
Wike attributed the PDP’s poor showing in the state to internal crises, particularly tensions between the state and the party’s national leadership. “We advised those who still had confidence to contest. PDP’s problem in Rivers was created by the national body,” he added.
Wike also warned that the PDP would be further weakened by moves to draft former President Goodluck Jonathan or bring Obi back into the party.
“I respect Jonathan, but the same people wooing him today sabotaged him in 2015. Bringing Obi back will kill PDP completely,” he cautioned.
He condemned what he described as the culture of refusing to concede defeat, noting that only Jonathan had demonstrated statesmanship by accepting electoral loss.
“Politicians must stop deceiving Nigerians. This talk of one-term presidency is false. When you get there, circumstances change. Let Obi first find a platform before promising anything,” he said.
The minister also cast doubt on the PDP’s planned national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, scheduled for November, stating that unresolved crises could prevent it from being held.
“The issue of the national convention is not the problem. The issue is the problems leading to the convention, and people should understand that. If they are not well taken care of, there is a likelihood that the convention will not hold,” he said.
Wike added that his group within the party would meet to take a position, stressing that the venue was not in dispute but that the party must resolve its internal issues before convening.
“The venue is not the subject matter. The subject matter is have you done what you were supposed to do before holding that convention? If not, it may be a setback,” he warned.
Atiku: Nigerians, not APC or PDP, will decide 2027 presidential election
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has stated that Nigerians themselves, rather than the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), will ultimately determine the outcome of the 2027 presidential election.
Atiku’s Media Adviser, Mazi Paul Ibe, stated this in an interview with reporters in Abuja, stressing that the coalition being built ahead of 2027 is people-driven and continues to attract support from political stakeholders and civil society groups.
“The APC and PDP may have dominated politics for a while, but what is clear is that Nigerians are the real force, and they will determine what happens in 2027. The people will always remain, as long as Nigeria exists. The most important element is the Nigerian people,” Ibe said.
He explained that there is growing enthusiasm among Nigerians to take control of their destinies, noting that various groups have begun aligning with the coalition.
“We have seen their enthusiasm and their desire to take their destinies into their own hands. We have seen all manner of groups emerge,” he said.
According to him, support has also come from individuals and groups outside the political class who are committed to strengthening the coalition.
“There is strong support from well-meaning groups and individuals, many of whom are not even politicians, who are willing to partner with the coalition. Structures are already being put in place,” he added.
Ibe also pointed to recent political realignments as evidence of the coalition’s growing momentum. He cited a development in Lagos, where thousands of PDP stakeholders formally defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
“We saw what happened in Lagos recently, where 5,000 critical stakeholders and PDP leaders transferred their services and assets to the ADC. Many more are on their way. A lot is happening, yes,” he noted.
With defections gathering pace and civic groups rallying behind the coalition, Ibe maintained that the political dynamics ahead of 2027 point to a contest where the will of Nigerians, rather than the dominance of APC or PDP, will be decisive.
Obidient Movement dismisses ‘fresh propaganda waves’ against Peter Obi
The National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Dr Yunusa Tanko, has dismissed what he described as “fresh waves of propaganda” against Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, insisting that Nigerians are too enlightened to be swayed by falsehoods.
In a statement titled ‘Facts vs Lies’, Tanko accused Obi’s political opponents of “sponsoring deception through paid agents” and recycling old narratives to tarnish his image.
He addressed claims that Obi once “begged” elder statesman Afe Babalola in connection with a defamation case involving activist Dele Farotimi. Tanko said the matter was resolved through the intervention of the Ooni of Ife, not as a result of any plea by Obi.
“That narrative is a deliberate lie,” he stated, citing the testimony of I.K. Aboyi, who initiated and witnessed the meeting. On Obi’s political style, Tanko maintained that the former Anambra governor is guided by principle rather than patronage. “Peter Obi does not gratify or entice individuals with money. His resources are channelled into education, youth entrepreneurship, healthcare, the almajiri system, and support for the poor and neglected,” he said.
He also rebutted other issues frequently raised against Obi. On the controversial “Yes Daddy” audio, Tanko said Obi chose not to pursue lengthy litigation as a matter of strategy, not guilt. Regarding Nigeria’s debt profile, he cited figures from the Debt Management Office (DMO), showing liabilities of N149.38 trillion in Q1 2025, up from N144.67 trillion in Q4 2024. On the alleged anti-Lagos WhatsApp broadcast, he insisted there was “no credible evidence whatsoever” linking Obi or his team.
According to him, Obi’s critics thrive on propaganda because “the truth exposes their failures.” He added, “These individuals parade themselves with all manner of titles, but in reality, they are failed propagandists desperate for relevance. Dragging Peter Obi’s name is their only way to seek attention.”
Tanko stressed that the Obidient Movement would continue to “stand for truth over propaganda, service over selfishness, and facts over fabrications,” insisting that “a New Nigeria is POssible.”
FURTHERMORE, in a phone interview, Tanko stated that Wike’s recent remarks questioning Obi’s seriousness and political direction were not based on facts, but rather on a fear of losing influence if Obi rejoins the PDP.
“Peter Obi has told Nigerians time and again that he is a member of the Labour Party. He has never hidden it. Whenever there is a shift, he will say so himself. So why should Wike be the one to question his seriousness? It is because he is disturbed and scared that if Obi accepts PDP’s invitation, he will lose his place,” Tanko said.
He described Wike’s comments as an unnecessary distraction, stressing that the Obidient Movement is focused on mobilising Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We are not in a contest with Wike. We are focused on cultivating the system, working with the people, and building momentum. Elections are about the people, and right now, Obi has them,” he stated. Tanko also urged Nigerians to ignore speculations, insisting that the movement’s direction will become clear before the end of November.
“Our coalition had agreed publicly that after November, the course will be clear. Until then, we remain committed to our work. Wike should stop taking Panadol for our headache,” he said.
In recent months, the PDP leadership has extended open invitations to Obi to return to the party, fuelling debates about where the former Anambra State governor may align ahead of the 2027 polls.
Obi raises alarm over Nigeria’s lowest global life expectancy, maternal deaths
MEANWHILE, Peter Obi has raised an alarm over Nigeria’s low life expectancy rate, describing it as a reflection of poor governance and a failing health system.
Speaking yesterday on his X page, Obi lamented that Nigeria now holds two of the most disturbing health records in the world within just one year, calling it “a double tragedy.”
According to him, the United Nations World Population Prospects 2025 Report ranks Nigeria as the country with the lowest life expectancy globally, at an average of 54.6 years.
He further pointed to another damning statistic showing Nigeria as the most dangerous country to give birth in, with one maternal death recorded every seven minutes.
Obi wrote: “First, Nigeria now has the lowest life expectancy in the world, with an average of 54.6 years, according to the United Nations World Population Prospects 2025 Report. The report bluntly states: if you live in Nigeria, you are simply waiting to die.
“Second, another damning report shows that Nigeria is the worst country in the world to give birth, with one maternal death recorded every seven minutes. We continue to hear heartbreaking stories of children losing their mothers during childbirth, and families losing both mother and child.”
He stressed that these figures are not mere statistics but the harsh reality of daily life for many Nigerians.
“Though Nigeria is not officially at war, our life expectancy is now worse than that of war-torn countries like Ukraine and South Sudan, all because of poor governance and a failing health system,” he said.
The former Anambra governor attributed the dire situation to misplaced priorities and underinvestment in healthcare, adding that no nation can achieve meaningful development without safeguarding the health and well-being of its citizens.
“These grim realities expose misplaced priorities, bad governance, and the failure to invest in one of the most vital sectors of development: the health and well-being of our citizens. We must urgently prioritise healthcare as a cornerstone of building our dear nation,” Obi concluded.
