Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has dismissed swirling speculation that he is being groomed to contest the presidency in 2027.
Wike called the claims baseless and reaffirmed his full allegiance to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration through 2031.
His denial came in response to a viral report from an unnamed online outlet, which alleged that some leaders within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were nudging Wike toward a presidential run.
But in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja, Wike’s spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, dismissed the report as "another lie from idle minds."
"As far as Wike is concerned, it is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu till 2031. He is not running for president and is fully committed to delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda in the FCT," he said.
Olayinka accused the rumour’s sponsors of orchestrating a smear campaign aimed at undermining Wike’s credibility, adding, "The Minister does not operate in secrecy. He says what he does and does what he says."
Wike’s rebuttal was further announced during the flag-off ceremony for the construction of Collector Road C01 in Abuja’s Institution and Research District, a project linking the Body of Benchers Complex to Nile University.
The event served as both a platform for infrastructure development and a moment of reflection on governance and civic engagement.
In his remarks, Wike urged Nigerians to engage government constructively rather than resort to online vitriol.
"If you like, go to social media 50 million times, what you did not get through the door, you will not get through the window. Criticism is welcome, but it must be constructive," he said.
He praised the Body of Benchers for their respectful approach in requesting the road project, which was approved under emergency procurement by President Tinubu following their appeal at the last Call to Bar ceremony.
"They didn’t go on social media to rant. They made their request humbly, and the President approved it. Today, we’re flagging off a major infrastructure project that will benefit not only them but also Baze and Nile Universities, and the surrounding community," he said.
Wike admitted he had never visited either university before, but maintained that responsible governance means responding to real needs not noise.
The road project marks the 17th consecutive day of infrastructure commissioning by the FCT Administration.
Wike revealed that by Wednesday, the streak would reach 20 days, with new projects, including a 300-bed hostel for male and female students at the Nigerian Law School, Bwari, set to begin Monday.
"That has never happened before. Last year, we started 10 fully furnished bungalows for the Law School. All these are under the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President," he said.
Wike also acknowledged the limitations of governance, noting that no administration can solve all of Nigeria’s problems.
"Even if I remain Minister for 500 years, there will still be new problems. The key is to do your best within the available time and resources," he said.
Addressing the controversy surrounding a recent meeting of southern PDP stakeholders, Olayinka clarified that the August 20, 2025 gathering had no connection to any presidential ambition.
Instead, he stressed, it focused on internal party matters, particularly concerns over micro-zoning of key positions.
The meeting’s outcomes were communicated through an official statement endorsed by PDP chairmen from Imo, Abia, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers, along with other senior party figures.
Olayinka, therefore, accused detractors of twisting the facts to fuel a false narrative.
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