Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will remain Nigeria’s leader for two full terms, extending his presidency until 2031. The controversial statement came during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, where Wike reflected on Tinubu’s challenging path to victory in the 2023 elections.
“I said it in 2023 and I’m saying it again: until 2031, when the presidency should shift to the North, there’s nothing anybody can say to change my mind,” Wike asserted, making his position clear on Nigeria’s political future. His prediction suggests unwavering confidence in both Tinubu’s leadership abilities and electoral prospects for a second term.
The former Rivers State governor painted a picture of deliberate obstacles placed in Tinubu’s path during the previous electoral cycle, specifically pointing to the naira redesign policy and nationwide fuel shortages that coincided with the campaign period. According to Wike, these challenges were strategically implemented by elements within the then-APC government to derail Tinubu’s presidential ambitions.
Whether APC liked it or not, Tinubu’s road to victory was turbulent. He could have lost woefully. The fuel crisis, the naira policy—it was all terrible. No party would introduce such policies during an election year. But he survived it,” Wike stated, suggesting these policies were deliberately timed to harm Tinubu’s chances.
Wike’s comments highlight the factional nature of Nigerian politics, where intra-party rivalries can sometimes prove as consequential as inter-party competition. His assertion that elements within the APC worked against their own party’s candidate reflects the complex political alliances that characterized the 2023 election.
The minister attributed Tinubu’s ultimate victory to both divine intervention and political acumen, stating: “That’s how you know God is on someone’s side—and that they understand the game. You must give it to him.” This framing portrays Tinubu as both spiritually blessed and politically skilled—qualities Wike apparently believes will carry the president through a second term.
Beyond his predictions for Nigeria’s presidency, Wike also addressed simmering tensions within his own party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He issued a stark warning that failure to resolve internal conflicts could cost the party his support in upcoming FCT council elections.
If PDP does not put their house in order, I’m not going to support them in the area councils election. If PDP goes the way they are going, I will not support them,” Wike cautioned, leveraging his influence as the minister overseeing the Federal Capital Territory.
The minister’s statement reveals his continued significant influence within PDP circles despite serving in a government led by the rival APC. Wike further emphasized his political importance by referencing his role in supporting gubernatorial candidates, particularly mentioning Bayelsa State’s governor.
“This crisis will consume the party until the right thing is done. I have never recommended anyone to these governors, but that doesn’t mean I don’t play a role. Like the governor of Bayelsa, I played a fundamental role—he can’t deny it,” Wike asserted, underscoring his behind-the-scenes political power.
Wike’s prediction about Tinubu’s eight-year presidency touches on sensitive aspects of Nigeria’s unwritten power-sharing arrangement between the country’s northern and southern regions. By suggesting the presidency should “shift to the North” after 2031, Wike acknowledges the informal zoning system that has influenced Nigerian politics since the return to democracy in 1999.
“You can’t tell me it’s your right alone to produce the president. Let’s all live harmoniously,” he added, advocating for political inclusion while reinforcing the idea of rotational leadership between Nigeria’s regions.
Political analysts note that Wike’s continued influence represents an unusual dynamic in Nigerian politics. As a prominent PDP figure now serving in an APC administration, he embodies the fluid nature of political alliances that often transcend party lines in Nigeria’s democratic landscape.
Wike’s outspoken support for Tinubu has raised eyebrows since the 2023 election cycle, when he broke ranks with his party to support the APC candidate. His subsequent appointment as FCT Minister was widely interpreted as a reward for this cross-party backing, though Wike has maintained his PDP membership despite serving in the APC government.
The minister’s latest comments come at a time when Nigerians are grappling with economic challenges including high inflation, fuel subsidy removal effects, and currency depreciation. Critics suggest that discussing the 2027 election—let alone 2031—seems premature given the pressing governance issues facing the current administration.
Tinubu himself has not publicly discussed seeking a second term, focusing instead on implementing his “Renewed Hope” agenda amid significant economic reforms. The president’s first year in office has been marked by bold but controversial policy decisions, including fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate unification, which have generated mixed reactions from citizens experiencing rising living costs.
Wike’s prediction reflects confidence in Tinubu’s political resilience, particularly given the president’s navigation of initial challenges. However, Nigerian political history shows that early projections about second terms often face unexpected political developments as administrations progress.
As Nigeria continues its democratic journey, Wike’s pronouncement serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between personal political ambitions, party loyalties, and regional considerations that continue to shape the country’s governance landscape.
Whether Tinubu indeed remains president until 2031 as Wike confidently predicts remains to be seen, but the statement itself underscores the minister’s continued prominence as a key political voice transcending traditional party boundaries in Nigeria’s evolving democracy.
