2027 Presidency: Wike fears ‘payback’ from Atiku, Obi because he ‘injured’ them politically — Olayinka

Lere Olayinka, an aide to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, says the minister is realistic to believe he could face political consequences if either Atiku Abubakar or Peter Obi wins the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking on Arise Television’s The Morning Show on Friday, Olayinka was responding to Wike’s warning that he could become an early target should the opposition take power after the 2027 election.

Wike, who has openly backed President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, said he was aware that his political stance could have consequences but insisted he had no regrets.

“I will be the first politician that I think they will come after. I will be the first politician. I know they will come for my head.”

Olayinka said Wike’s position was based on his understanding of the political landscape rather than fear or self-deception.

According to him, Wike knows that his role in the events surrounding the 2023 presidential election could make him a target if Atiku eventually becomes president.

“One thing you must understand about Wike is that he is a realist. He does not deceive himself. If today government changes, he knows he was part of those who were instrumental to Atiku not winning the election,” Olayinka said.

He pointed to the G-5 governors’ decision to oppose Atiku during the 2023 election as a major source of the lingering tension.

“So Atiku people see Wike as an enemy, who did not allow Atiku to win election in 2023. The same thing with Peter Obi people. So, if Atiku becomes president today, he (Wike) is automatically a target. So he knows.”

Olayinka was also asked if Wike had ever employed the same kind of political retaliation against his opponents. He declined to give a categorical answer.

“I’m not going to tell you that people have applied it,” he said.

He nevertheless argued that Wike’s concerns were understandable because of the political battles involving the former vice-president and Obi.

“He has injured Atiku too much. He has injured Peter Obi too much, and when you injure people politically, you should expect a kind of a payback,” Olayinka said.

The minister’s aide added that Wike was not expecting political relationships to remain unchanged if a new administration emerged in 2027.

“So he’s not deceiving himself to believe that if Atiku become president tomorrow, he will now become Atiku’s friend. No, he is not deceiving himself to have that kind of belief,” he said.

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