2027: Obi, Atiku only won in their imagination — Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar won the 2023 presidential election in Rivers State, saying their alleged victories were not reflected in the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Wike made the remarks on Monday during an appearance on TVC’s Journalists’ Hangout, where he also spoke about the political contest ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to the minister, an election victory cannot be established by crowd reactions at campaign venues, isolated polling units or social media claims, but by results from polling units that are collated and formally declared.

“They won in their imagination,” Wike said.

He recalled an occasion when supporters gathered to cheer Obi in a part of Rivers State, questioning whether such a gathering could be regarded as evidence of an electoral victory.

“When Obi went to the Timber Market or somewhere in Rivers State and they were shouting ‘Obi! Obi!’, is that how you win an election?” he asked.

Wike said Rivers State has more than 7,000 polling units spread across 23 local government areas, arguing that isolated results could not determine the overall winner.

“Out of over 7,000 polling units, until all results have come in, even if 200 polling units come out and say Obi or Atiku has won, it does not convince me,” he said.

The FCT minister also referred to the legal challenges that followed the 2023 election, asking whether the candidates were able to establish their claims before the election tribunal.

“You can win on social media, but I am not interested in social media winning. I am interested practically in the results on the ground, who won, and who was declared,” he said.

On the 2027 elections, Wike said he was not worried by efforts by his political opponents in Rivers State to form alliances against him.

He recalled his political contests since 1999, when he became a local government chairman, saying each election had presented different challenges.

Wike cited the 2015 and 2019 governorship elections in Rivers State, saying he emerged victorious despite what he described as difficult political circumstances.

He also recalled that his late brother, Herbert Wigwe, had advised him to leave Rivers State ahead of the 2019 election because of the pressure he was facing, but that he rejected the advice.

“I have never had an election that has been easy, but this one will be the easiest election as far as I know,” Wike said.

He attributed his political support in Rivers State to his record and relationship with residents rather than federal influence or political alliances.

“What are you going to tell Rivers people now? What will you present to them that will make them believe that following you will be more beneficial than what they have today?” he asked.