…Denies PDP faction ‘pushing’ minister to run

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lere Olayinka, has described as a blatant lie the claim that the minister was being pushed to contest against President Bola Tinubu in 2027 elections.

In a statement yesterday, he emphasised that the claim was another lie from idle minds, who have nothing positive to contribute to the development of the country.

Olayinka noted that an online platform, which he described as notorious for spreading falsehoods recently claimed that some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders held a meeting to ‘push’ Wike to contest the 2027 presidential poll.

“As far as Wike is concerned, it is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu till 2031,” he declared. Olayinka criticised those spreading the falsehood as relying on kindergarten tactics.

“Wike does not function in hiding. He does what he says, and says what he does,” he added. Olayinka reiterated that the Minister’s position on the 2027 presidential election is clear: “He is with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.” He clarified that the only meeting that took place on August 20, 2025, involved PDP stakeholders from Southern Nigeria and focused on a meeting scheduled in Lagos the following day to rubberstamp party zoning decisions for southern positions.

Olayinka stated further that the outcomes of the meeting were publicly released in a press statement signed by several state party chairmen and national figures, including Austin Nwachukwu, Abraham Amah, Barr. Venatuis Ikem, Rt. Hon Aniekan Akpan, Aaron Chukwuemeka, Hon. Chidiebere Egwu Goodluck, and Hon O. K. Chinda, among others.