2027: Wike dismisses Obi’s chances, rules out run-off

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared that the political movement that propelled Peter Obi to prominence in the 2023 presidential election no longer exists, insisting that he has killed the so-called ‘Obi Kererenke’ wave.

Wike made the remark during his media chat on Thursday while dismissing suggestions that opposition parties could pose a serious challenge to President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election or force a run-off.

He described Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, as a politician without anything substantial to offer Nigerians, arguing that the circumstances that favoured his performance in the last election could not be replicated.

“All this so-called ‘Obi Kererenke’, it does not exist again. I have killed it. I have killed it,” the minister declared.

When a journalist challenged his assessment, arguing that Wike was underestimating the opposition parties, he questioned the possibility of a run-off, asking, “Run where? Run-off between who and who?”

Wike argued that Nigerians had already given opposition politicians opportunities to govern but that they had failed to justify the confidence reposed in them.

He specifically dismissed Obi’s chances, saying, “Nigerians know Obi has nothing to offer. He’s a dramatist.”

The minister also questioned whether the enthusiasm that characterised Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign remained strong, particularly regarding financial contributions from supporters.

“How many people are contributing money for Obi today?” he asked, dismissing a journalist’s suggestion that many Nigerians were still supporting the former Anambra State governor.

“That is a lie. You contributed last time, but now you are not contributing. Yes, all of you,” Wike said.

He also referenced the electoral success of Senator Ireti Kingibe, who won the Federal Capital Territory senatorial seat on the Labour Party platform in 2023, arguing that her victory was largely driven by the political wave at the time rather than an established party structure.

“But that wave, now, let her win again now,” he said.

Wike, however, acknowledged the popularity of former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso but questioned the extent of his political influence beyond Kano State.

He noted that although Kwankwaso secured victory in Kano during the 2023 presidential election, his performance in other northern states raised questions about the reach of his political support.

“You talk about Kwankwaso, my friend, I agree. He’s very popular. But he ran in 2023. He won Kano, fine. Of all other northern states, what vote did he get?” he asked.

The minister further challenged claims that the North could deliver a decisive electoral advantage to opposition candidates, citing states such as Plateau, Benue, Kogi, Kwara and Nasarawa.

“Everything must come to us today. To understand when he said North, what about North-Central? For crying out loud, what will happen in Plateau? What will happen in Benue? What will happen in Kogi? What will happen in Kwara? What will happen in Nasarawa? For Christ’s sake, what are we talking about?” he said.

Wike also accused former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of failing to campaign in Rivers State during the 2023 presidential election, insisting that the former presidential candidate could not expect the state’s support in another election without addressing his previous political decisions.

He recalled that he had declared his support for voting during the 2023 election despite opposition from those backing Atiku.

“Did Atiku campaign here? He didn’t come. He ran away. Yes,” Wike said.

The minister’s comments come amid growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general election, with opposition figures seeking to build a formidable platform to challenge Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Obi, who finished third in the 2023 presidential election, has since left the Labour Party and aligned with the Nigeria Democratic Congress as he prepares for another presidential contest.

His 2023 campaign, which attracted considerable support from young Nigerians and voters seeking an alternative to the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party, became popularly associated with the Obidient movement and the ‘Obi Kererenke’ chant.

Wike, a former Rivers State governor who supported Tinubu in the 2023 election despite belonging to the PDP, was appointed FCT minister after the election.