Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has warned former Vice President Atiku Abubakar against contesting the presidency in 2027, stating that it would mark his seventh unsuccessful bid.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, Olayinka criticized Atiku’s persistence, urging him to accept past defeats.
“Six unsuccessful attempts at the presidency, and he won’t stop deceiving himself despite his age. 2027 will definitely be his seventh failed attempt,” he wrote.
His remarks follow Atiku’s recent statement in an interview with Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie of Untold Stories, where he expressed uncertainty about running again.
While acknowledging the need for a strong political platform, Atiku emphasized that Nigeria requires experienced leadership.
“I have not seen Nigeria in more dire need of experienced and credible leadership than now,” he stated, leaving the possibility of contesting open.
Atiku’s comment comes shortly after his coalition with opposition leaders aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
However, Olayinka maintained that Wike remains a formidable force against Atiku’s ambition, insisting that the minister has no regrets about the former vice president’s decision to sideline him in the 2023 elections.