2027: Atiku, Obi, Sowore lack what it takes to defeat Tinubu — Wike’s aide

Lere Olayinka, an aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed the opposition’s chances of defeating President Bola Tinubu in 2027, describing some presidential candidates as “content creators” seeking publicity rather than electoral victory.

Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to Wike, made the remarks on Thursday while appearing on TVC’s political programme, Beyond The Headlines.

He argued that the presence of 19 presidential candidates did not necessarily make the 2027 race competitive, insisting that several opposition figures lacked the political structures and grassroots support needed to win a nationwide election.

Olayinka, who also serves as a spokesperson for the media and strategic communications directorate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, singled out former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and African Action Congress candidate Omoyele Sowore for criticism.

He questioned Atiku’s repeated attempts to become president, describing his latest bid as his eighth since 1993.

“Someone who started contesting for president since 1993… this is his eighth time. Anytime the whistle is blown, if today they say there should be election of president every month, Atiku would be contesting every month,” he said.

Olayinka also accused Atiku of inconsistency over fuel subsidy, recalling his 2022 description of the policy as fraudulent and alleging that he later advocated its restoration.

On Obi, the former Labour Party presidential candidate, Olayinka said his public statements lacked consistency and questioned his ability to manage political disagreements.

“Peter Obi is more like a content creator — he says something today, he says another thing tomorrow,” he said.

He also criticised Obi’s movement between political parties, arguing that his experience with party disputes raised questions about his ability to manage national challenges.

Olayinka similarly questioned Sowore’s chances, citing the 14,600 votes the AAC candidate secured in the 2023 presidential election.

“For instance, the candidate of AAC, Omoyele Sowore, had 14,600 votes in 2023. How would that person win the election next year? They know that they cannot win,” he said.

He maintained that some politicians contest elections primarily to establish their presence rather than to win, adding that visibility on social media was not a substitute for a nationwide political organisation capable of mobilising voters and protecting votes.

Turning to the APC’s preparations, Olayinka dismissed concerns about reported disagreements among political stakeholders, saying alliances were being built across states to strengthen Tinubu’s re-election campaign.

He cited cooperation between the APC and the Accord Party in Osun State as an example of the coalition-building efforts.

“APC in Osun State and Accord Party are working together. It is a coalition. They are working to deliver votes to the president,” he said.

Olayinka expressed confidence that the APC’s grassroots mobilisation and political alliances would give Tinubu an advantage in 2027.

He also defended the administration’s performance, pointing to road construction, urban renewal and other development projects in the FCT under Wike as evidence of its commitment to infrastructure development.