ABUJA, Nigeria — Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), has cautioned members of the political class against urging former president Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidential election, warning that such a move could destabilise the country.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, September 18, 2025, Wike described the calls as “ironic” given that many of the same politicians abandoned Jonathan during his unsuccessful re-election bid in 2015.
“Anybody saying Jonathan should return because he will only do one term is only looking for a crisis,” Wike said.
“These are the same people who abandoned him in 2015. Why now? Jonathan has made a name for himself globally and they just want to drag him into unnecessary conflict.”
Wike argued that framing a potential Jonathan candidacy around the idea of a one-term presidency was disingenuous and would only create divisions.
He noted that Jonathan’s current standing as an international statesman should not be undermined by political manoeuvring at home.
Addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges, the FCT minister acknowledged widespread hardship but defended President Bola Tinubu’s administration, saying it was making “difficult yet necessary choices” to stabilise the economy.
“Yes, there is hardship. I agree. But no one can deny that this government is making efforts to improve things. I see the projects in Abuja daily; they are evidence that something is happening,” he said.
Wike also took aim at former vice-president Atiku Abubakar, who recently warned of a possible revolution driven by hunger and poverty.
He questioned Atiku’s credibility, citing his record in office.
“Atiku was vice-president for eight years. Why didn’t he lay the foundation to prevent hunger then?” Wike asked.
“Now he keeps talking about hunger and revolution. For me, I don’t even bother reading what he says, because there is no truth in it.”
