Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed speculation that he is positioning himself for the 2031 presidential election, saying those behind such claims are “just afraid of their shadows.”
Wike, who spoke with journalists shortly after inspecting some ongoing projects in Abuja on Monday, said his immediate political concern was President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election, rather than positioning himself for a presidential contest several years away.
The minister maintained that he was not bothered by accusations surrounding his political activities, but questioned claims that the Rainbow Coalition was intended to destabilise the ruling All Progressives Congress.
“All I want to let you know is that my concern is that the president will be re-elected for the second term. That is my concern. And I made that known from the onset that I was going to support Mr. President with all my might and strength.
“And I’m not bothered about the accusations, but you see, it’s very, very disappointing to hear some people say the Rainbow Coalition will destabilize party. I don’t understand from which angle that will be.”
He argued that the coalition’s stated position was to support Tinubu’s re-election, insisting that its activities should not be interpreted as an attempt to weaken the APC.
“Just hear me very well today. This is an opportunity for Nigerians to tune in, and we will let Nigerians know what is really behind all these so-called cries about Rainbow Coalition. It’s not correct. I mean, we have not gone to anybody to say, “Don’t support anybody.” We said all our party members, all those like-minds who are not APC members, to please ensure that they support Mr. President.”
Wike further pointed to the political developments around the 2023 election, questioning why similar concerns were not raised when he and his allies backed Tinubu.
“And this is not the first time. Since the 4th of January 2023, when it was 2025 right? Why is it that nobody complained that it would destabilize the party? Did the president not win? Did it affect APC controlling the National Assembly? In short, that will even give them an advantage.”
The minister said the controversy over the Rainbow Coalition was not, in his view, simply about concerns over the ruling party, hinting that there were deeper issues behind the criticism.
“But that’s not even the cause of this cry. You will hear it today. What is the real cry about the Rainbow Coalition, the undertone. Nigerians don’t understand that there are undertones about it, and we’ll let the cat out of the bag so that Nigerians will be well-informed about this so-called cry about Rainbow Coalition. I don’t understand. So, let me leave it at that point.”
On the speculation that his activities were driven by an ambition to contest the presidency in 2031, Wike said it was premature to begin making plans for an election that was still years away.
“You know, people take the position of God. First of all, you have to pray that you are alive. You must ask God, “Keep me alive till tomorrow,” or “Keep me alive till the next day.” When God keeps you alive, then you now know what to do. How can you sit now and start planning about 2030, 31?”
Wike, who contested the PDP presidential primary in 2022 and came second, said his experience of Nigerian politics had exposed him to the intrigues surrounding presidential contests.
“Like I told you what I said, I will say it today that it is not about anything. What am I going to plan about, let’s see? First of all, you should know that I ran presidential primary 2022, and I came second. But if not for what happened, I would have emerged. So, I know this country very well. I’m a politician of this country. I know the conspiracy about people, you know?”
He also questioned where he would be positioning himself politically for a 2031 contest, while noting that Tinubu would have an interest in who succeeds him if he does not seek another term.
“So, am I positioning myself. In which of the parties am I positioning myself to? I’ve always said, mind you, too, that by 2031, as they’re saying, the president will no longer run. So, the president will also have an interest in who will succeed him, and would I be at loggerheads with what the president will be thinking about?
“These people don’t understand. They’re just afraid of their shadows, not me, you know?”
He maintained that political calculations for 2031 were ultimately uncertain and that the circumstances at the time would determine what happens.
“So, God is the one who says what will be. If one is alive then, then you begin to see what we’ll do. In any case, what is wrong assuming that I’m positioning myself? But that’s not correct.”
Wike, however, said he would elaborate further on the controversy surrounding the Rainbow Coalition during his scheduled television appearance later tonight.
“But you will hear the full details today why all this cries about the Rainbow Coalition. I will tell you, and Nigerians will be shocked when they hear the full details about these so-called cries about the Rainbow Coalition. I don’t want to let the cat out of the bag now, so just hold your breath.”
