ABUJA — The race toward the 2027 presidential election intensified yesterday with sharp political exchanges involving former President Goodluck Jonathan, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Former President Jonathan, reacting to criticisms from Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, SAN, and Professor Chidi Odinkalu over his speculated ambition, warned both men to stay off his political journey.
Keyamo and Odinkalu had publicly argued that Jonathan’s potential bid would face legal hurdles, insisting he had already been sworn in twice as president.
Responding through his brother, Robert Azibaola, Jonathan dismissed their concerns, stressing that he remains “100% constitutionally and legally qualified” to run.
“GEJ has numerous, more experienced SANs at his disposal who give him sound legal advice,” Azibaola wrote on Facebook. “Your unsolicited legal view is irrelevant. This is not confirmation that GEJ is running, but if he does, qualification will not be an issue.”
Wike: Jonathan Misled, Obi a “Recipe for Disaster”
Meanwhile, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike cautioned Jonathan against returning to the race, saying he was being misled by political hawks.
“I know Jonathan very well. He has international respect and should maintain that. These same people weighing him down are the ones who deceived him in 2015,” Wike said during a televised chat.
The minister also dismissed suggestions that former Anambra governor Peter Obi could emerge as a PDP candidate in 2027, warning such a move would “kill the party.”
“Obi once described the PDP as rotten. Now ambition is making people reconsider? Bringing him back will destroy the party further,” Wike declared.
On former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai’s prediction that President Bola Tinubu would place third in 2027, Wike replied: “He goofed. How do you predict who comes third without saying who comes first or second? I’m ready to bet — Tinubu will win squarely.”
He also rejected speculation about his own ambitions, stressing: “I will not run for president. The man who appointed me is running. Integrity matters.”
Atiku: Nigerians, Not Parties, Will Decide
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, however, said the decision in 2027 would lie with Nigerians, not the ruling APC or opposition PDP.
Through his media aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku said a people-driven coalition anchored on the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was gaining momentum across the country.
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“The APC and PDP may think they dominate, but Nigerians will ultimately decide 2027,” Ibe said. “We saw what happened in Lagos recently, where 5,000 PDP stakeholders defected to the ADC. More are coming.”
Atiku maintained that rising civic enthusiasm and political realignments signaled a broader movement that could redefine Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of 2027.
