Wike Accuses Politicians Pushing Jonathan For 2027 Of Betraying Him In 2015.
Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has issued a stern warning to former President Goodluck Jonathan against heeding calls to contest the 2027 presidential election, alleging that those advocating for his candidacy are the same politicians who undermined him during the 2015 elections. Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja on Monday, 1 September 2025, Wike urged Jonathan to preserve his global reputation as a respected statesman and avoid re-entering the turbulent waters of partisan politics.
Wike’s comments come amid growing speculation that Jonathan is being courted by influential figures within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, to run for president in 2027. The former president, who has remained silent on the matter, is seen by some as a unifying figure capable of challenging President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid. However, Wike dismissed these efforts as disingenuous, accusing the proponents of hypocrisy. “I know Jonathan very well. He enjoys being respected internationally as a statesman, and I believe he will continue in that role,” Wike said. “People pushing Jonathan—what strength do they have? Were they not the same people who worked against him in 2015?”
The minister, a former PDP stalwart and key figure in the party’s 2023 election strategy, cautioned that Jonathan’s return could destabilise the PDP, which is already grappling with internal divisions. “For Christ’s sake, nobody should create problems for the party. When you cause problems, you are the one to blame,” he stated, urging the PDP to avoid decisions that could deepen its crisis. Wike’s remarks reflect his broader concerns about the party’s direction, particularly following its decision to zone the 2027 presidential ticket to the South, a move some see as paving the way for Jonathan or other southern candidates like Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.
Wike also took aim at suggestions that Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, should return to the PDP to contest the ticket, arguing that such a move would be catastrophic. “Obi was abusing the party, saying it is rotten. So now the party is suddenly good enough for him to come and contest on its platform?” he questioned, adding that allowing Obi back would “destroy the party further.” The minister’s outspoken criticism underscores the ongoing power struggles within the PDP, exacerbated by his own alignment with President Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC) administration, a move that has drawn accusations of disloyalty from some party members.
The speculation around Jonathan’s potential candidacy has sparked varied reactions. Supporters argue that his calm leadership style and global stature make him a strong contender to restore stability, while critics, including Wike, warn that his return risks reigniting old rivalries. A Niger Delta group, the South-South Reawakening Group, has also cautioned Jonathan against running, describing the calls as a “dangerous trap” designed to tarnish his legacy. Meanwhile, Jonathan’s cousin, Azibaola Robert, defended his eligibility, dismissing legal concerns raised by figures like Festus Keyamo and Chidi Odinkalu, who argue that Jonathan’s prior tenure could pose constitutional challenges.
As the PDP navigates its internal fractures and the broader political landscape ahead of 2027, Wike’s warning highlights the complexities of rallying behind a figure like Jonathan. His comments serve as a reminder of the lingering wounds from the 2015 election, when Jonathan lost to Muhammadu Buhari amid defections and internal betrayals. For now, the former president’s silence leaves the nation guessing, while Wike’s outspoken stance underscores the high stakes of Nigeria’s evolving political drama.