By Ayodele Quadri, Lagos Times Correspondent
ABUJA — Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has defended the minister’s recent declaration that he expects to be a primary target for political retaliation should former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or Peter Obi emerge victorious in the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking during an appearance on Arise Television’s The Morning Show on Friday, September 4, 2026, Olayinka described Wike as a political realist who fully understands the far-reaching consequences of his past decisions and alliances.
Olayinka’s comments come shortly after Wike’s media interaction in Port Harcourt earlier in the week, where the FCT Minister stated that he would be the first politician opposition leaders would pursue if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu loses in 2027. Elaborating on Wike’s stance, Olayinka emphasized that the minister harbours no illusions about his standing with opposition figures, acknowledging that his opposition to Atiku’s 2023 campaign under the G-5 framework, alongside his friction with Peter Obi’s movement, severely disrupted their presidential ambitions.
Asserting that political actions naturally attract payback, Olayinka noted that Wike remains unbothered by potential fallout because he operates with total clarity regarding his role in shaping the current administration and remains firmly committed to President Tinubu’s re-election project.
