The political rivalry between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has reignited, with both camps exchanging heated words over the 2027 presidential election.

Mr. Lere Olayinka, Wike’s media aide, has vowed that his principal will frustrate Atiku’s 2027 ambitions, just as he allegedly contributed to his defeat in 2023.

Olayinka’s remarks came in response to Atiku’s recent statement that he had no regrets about not choosing Wike as his running mate in the 2023 election. Atiku, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in 2023, revealed that a selection committee had considered three names—former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Wike, and ex-Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel—before Okowa was ultimately picked.

In a post on X, Olayinka dismissed Atiku’s comment, asserting that Wike equally had no regrets about the vice-presidential snub and played a role in Atiku’s loss.

“Two years after making the @OfficialPDPNig lose a presidential election it could have won, @atiku is giving reasons he did not pick @GovWike as his running mate and that he has no regrets.

Someone should tell our serial presidential election contester that Wike also has no regret for ensuring that he failed in the election and will make sure that he fails again and again,” Olayinka wrote.

Atiku has recently announced the formation of a coalition of opposition leaders aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election. This has fueled speculation about potential candidates, with former Labour Party flagbearer Peter Obi and ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai emerging as key figures in the movement.

However, when pressed on whether he would contest again in 2027, Atiku remained noncommittal, stating that a strong political platform must first be established before any decision could be made.

Atiku’s Camp: 2027 Talks Are Insensitive Amid Tinubu’s Failures

Reacting to Olayinka’s comments, Atiku’s spokesperson, Paul Ibe, dismissed Wike’s focus on the 2027 election as misplaced, given the current state of governance under Tinubu.

“Ordinarily, we would not dignify him with a response. However, it is insensitive for Wike to be talking about 2027 when his principal, President Tinubu, is failing to deliver on his current mandate.

Former Vice President Abubakar is more concerned with nation-building than wasting time on what Wike and others think.

The real question they should be answering is: Are Nigerians better off today than they were in 2023? What is the cost of living today compared to back then?”

As political tensions rise, the battle lines for 2027 are already being drawn, even as Nigerians continue to grapple with economic and governance challenges under the current administration.