Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has told former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to forget any plan of contesting the 2027 presidential election, saying there is “no space” for him. Wike made the statement on Thursday during an inspection of ongoing road projects in Kuje Area Council, where he also dismissed claims that his office interfered with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) convention earlier this year.
Speaking to journalists during the project tour, Wike said Atiku should instead consider running in 2031, when he would be 82 years old.
“There is no space for him in 2027. He can wait till 2031. By then he will be 82. Even though he has said this is his last time, we will encourage him to run then,” Wike said.
The FCT Minister also criticised Atiku for his frequent attacks on the current administration, arguing that President Bola Tinubu has performed better compared to the period when Atiku held public office.
Wike’s remarks come amid ongoing political conversations and early positioning ahead of the 2027 general elections, with key political figures already making their intentions and alliances known.
Addressing a separate issue, Wike denied allegations that he ordered the revocation of the licence of the Rainbow Event Centre, which hosted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) national convention on February 14, 2026.
The ADC had earlier claimed that it faced challenges securing venues for its convention, alleging interference by FCT authorities. The party also said there were attempts to prevent it from using the Rainbow Event Centre, where the event eventually took place.
Reacting to the claims, Wike said he had no involvement in any move to stop the event and insisted that such allegations would be thoroughly investigated.
“We will not allow people to just wake up and say the FCT Minister did this or that,” he said.
“I have told my Chief of Staff to find out from the company which staff interfered. I assure you we will get to the bottom of this.”
He added that officials found culpable would be identified as part of the ongoing investigation.
Wike further criticised the ADC, urging the party to focus on resolving its internal challenges rather than blaming external forces.
“ADC should stop blaming people for their failure. Be rest assured they will not win,” he said.
His comments highlight growing tensions between political actors as parties begin to reposition ahead of future elections.
Atiku Abubakar, a former Vice President of Nigeria, has been a consistent presidential contender in past elections. His potential interest in the 2027 race has remained a topic of national political discussion.
Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is one of Nigeria’s opposition parties seeking to strengthen its position ahead of upcoming elections, amid internal and external challenges.
With political activities gradually building towards the 2027 elections, statements like Wike’s reflect the rising intensity of early campaigns and rivalries. Investigations into the ADC convention claims are expected to provide more clarity, while political alignments continue to evolve in the months ahead.