Jonathan has not told me of any presidential ambition -Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has denied reports linking him to the alleged moves for former President Goodluck Jonathan’s return to the presidential race.

He insisted that the former leader has never discussed such intentions with him.

Speaking during a media parley with journalists aired on TVC on Friday, Wike dismissed claims that Jonathan had sought his opinion or support regarding a possible political comeback.

“Jonathan has never told me. He has never called me one day to say, ‘look, I’m being pressured to run.’

“If he calls me and asks me, I’ll be able to tell him my mind, what I feel,” the minister said.

He cautioned against relying on unverified media reports, adding, “So I will not because, you people put something on the page of some newspaper, just like you said they flew me out of the country. Then, I now assume it’s correct.”

According to a recent report by The PUNCH, Jonathan is facing increasing pressure from certain stakeholders to drop the idea of contesting for the presidency in 2027 and to instead throw his weight behind the re-election of the current administration.

The speculation of a return has stirred debate within the PDP, prompting mixed reactions across the geopolitical zones.

Wike also distanced himself from claims that former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki, had emerged as chairman of the PDP.

He said he had no knowledge of such development.

“I don’t know about Tanimu Turaki becoming chairman. Maybe he’s becoming chairman for another faction. It’s not the PDP I know,” he stated.

The former Rivers State governor, who has been vocal about internal divisions within the PDP, accused some party leaders, particularly governors, of sidelining key stakeholders in decision-making.

He said the attitude of the current leadership could jeopardise the party’s future.

“Have I not said before now that the booby trap you are setting will consume you? Have I not told you before now, the way these present governors are doing, they will bury this party?” Wike queried.

The minister argued that despite no longer being a governor, his contributions to the PDP should earn him a place in major consultations.

“Are you telling me that because I’m not a governor, you go and hold PDP meetings, call them stakeholders, and then exclude me—and you want to survive? Certainly not,” he said.

Wike, who served as Rivers State governor between 2015 and 2023 before his appointment as FCT Minister, has remained an influential figure in the PDP, often clashing with the party’s leadership over internal crises and power-sharing arrangements.