Wike Says He Would Be First Target If Tinubu Loses 2027 Election

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, stated on Wednesday that he would be the first political target if President Bola Tinubu fails to win re-election in 2027. Speaking during a media chat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Wike said he believes opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, would "hunt for his head" in such a scenario. Wike, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party who is serving in the ruling All Progressives Congress-led government, framed his statement as a clear-eyed assessment of the personal political risks he faces. "If anything happens, and Mr President fails today, I will be the first politician that Atiku, Obi will hunt for his head," he said. "I will be the first politician. I challenge anybody. So, I won't make that mistake, to be sleeping to see the president lose the election." The minister's comments underscore the unusually personal dimension of his support for Tinubu's re-election bid. Wike has been a vocal ally of the president despite his PDP membership, a stance that has placed him at odds with his own party and fueled speculation about his political future.