The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed reports suggesting that some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are pressuring him to contest the 2027 presidential election.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, described the claim as “another lie from idle minds who have nothing to contribute to the development of the country.”

Olayinka said the report, circulated by an online platform “notorious for falsehood and blackmail,” was a failed attempt to drag the minister into unnecessary controversy.

According to the statement, “The report that a meeting was held by some PDP leaders to ‘push’ the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to run for President in 2027, is another lie from idle minds who have nothing meaningful to contribute to the country’s progress.”

Reaffirming Wike’s loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Olayinka said: “As far as Wike is concerned, it is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu till 2031. He does not function in hiding — he does what he says and says what he does. It is shameful that the ‘pull-Wike-down’ elements could not think beyond such kindergarten tactics.”

“The Minister has made it clear where he stands regarding the 2027 presidential election — he is with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Olayinka added.

Clarifying the report of a supposed PDP meeting, Olayinka explained that the only meeting held on August 20, 2025, was that of PDP stakeholders from the southern part of the country.

“The meeting was convened ahead of a proposed PDP Southern Zoning Consultative Summit scheduled for Lagos on August 21, 2025, by some elements seeking to rubberstamp a decision to micro-zone party positions zoned to the South,” the statement noted.

He further stated that the outcome of the meeting was made public in a press release titled ‘Re: Purported Meeting of PDP Southern Zoning Consultative Summit’, signed by several PDP leaders from the South-East and South-South, including state chairmen, lawmakers, and former party officials.

Those who signed the statement included the PDP state chairmen of Imo, Abia, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers — Austin Nwachukwu, Abraham Amah, Barr. Venatius Ikem, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Akpan, and Aaron Chukwuemeka respectively — along with the National Vice Chairman (South-East), Hon. Chidiebere Egwu Goodluck, and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. O. K. Chinda.

Others included Senators Igwe Nwagu, Mao Ohuabunwa, George Sekibo, Mike Ama Nnachi, former National Secretary Rt. Hon. Onwe S. Onwe, Deputy National Legal Adviser Barr. Okechukwu Osuoha, former Ebonyi State Legal Adviser Barr. Mudi Erhenede, among others.

“Obviously, these names were lifted from the widely circulated press statement published in major newspapers and aired on national television, but were mischievously used to advance falsehood,” Olayinka said.

He emphasized that Wike’s commitment to President Tinubu’s political and development agenda remains unwavering.

“Wike has said it clearly — from now till 2031, he stands firmly on the mandate of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. To ensure the success of the President’s re-election, the Minister will continue to deliver on the Renewed Hope Agenda by actualising the President’s vision for a world-class federal capital city,” Olayinka concluded.