By Ade Oyeyemi
Arise Television anchor, Rufai Oseni, has said the political activities of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, may be linked to an ambition to contest the presidency in 2031.
Oseni made the assertion on Monday while commenting on the recent disagreement between Wike and some governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.
The presenter argued that President Bola Tinubu was unlikely to allow the disagreement to escalate, particularly as the President seeks political support ahead of the 2027 general election.
“You see, I know this country too well. President Tinubu will never rock the boat. He will just try to give a gloomier response to settle the matter between Wike and the governors because he wants to win an election,” Oseni said.
He suggested that Tinubu could seek to maintain Wike’s support while also responding to some of the concerns raised by the FCT minister.
According to Oseni, however, the bigger political battle involving Wike could come after the 2027 elections, when questions surrounding the future of the PDP are expected to become more prominent.
“But you see, where the real tussle will be is after elections have been won or lost,” he said.
Oseni questioned how Wike would seek to reposition himself within the PDP after allegedly contributing to divisions within the opposition party and supporting a faction.
He maintained that Wike’s current political calculations were part of a longer-term strategy aimed at positioning himself for another presidential bid.
“All of this Wike is playing, forget it, he has presidential ambitions. Anyway, he ran in the last election cycle, so all of this is strategically positioning himself for the next eight years when power will come back to the South,” Oseni said.
The presenter also pointed to Wike’s age, arguing that it gives him sufficient time to remain politically active and pursue his reported ambition in a future election cycle.
“And you see, the good thing about the game which he is playing is that age is on his side,” he added.
Wike was among the prominent contenders for the PDP presidential ticket ahead of the 2023 election but lost the primary to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Following the 2023 election, Wike was appointed FCT minister by Tinubu despite remaining a member of the PDP.
His continued involvement in PDP affairs, alongside his role in the APC-led Federal Government, has remained a prominent feature of political discussions ahead of the 2027 elections.
