Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has rubbished reports linking him to a 2027 presidential bid, insisting he remains fully committed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration till 2031.
Reacting to a viral online report claiming that some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders were pushing him to contest the 2027 presidency, Wike’s spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, dismissed the story as “another lie from idle minds who have nothing to contribute to the development of the country.”
In a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, Olayinka said, “As far as Wike is concerned, it is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu till 2031. He has made his stand clear. He is not running for president and is fully committed to delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda in the FCT.”
Olayinka accused those behind the rumours of running a smear campaign, adding that Wike “does not operate in secrecy. He says what he does and does what he says.”
Speaking during the flag-off of Collector Road C01 in the Institution and Research District, linking the Body of Benchers Complex to Nile University, Wike urged Nigerians to engage government constructively rather than resort to online attacks.
He commended the Body of Benchers for using proper channels to request government intervention. “If you like, go to social media 50 million times, what you did not get through the door, you will not get through the window. Criticism is welcome, but it must be constructive,” he said.
Wike recalled how the Body of Benchers’ formal appeal led to President Tinubu’s prompt approval of new road projects in the area, benefiting Baze University, Nile University and surrounding communities. “That’s what responsible governance is all about — responding to needs, not noise,” he added.
The project launch marks the 17th day of continuous project inaugurations under Wike’s leadership in Abuja. He revealed plans to commence a 300-bed hostel project at the Nigerian Law School, Bwari, on Monday, as part of the administration’s infrastructural drive.
Wike also noted that governance has its limits. “Even if I remain Minister for 500 years, there will still be new problems. The key is to do your best within the available time and resources,” he said.
Olayinka further clarified that the recent meeting of southern PDP stakeholders on August 20, 2025, was wrongly reported as part of Wike’s supposed presidential agenda. He said the meeting focused on internal party zoning issues and had nothing to do with 2027 politics.
Among the signatories to the meeting’s communiqué were PDP chairmen from Imo, Abia, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers States, alongside other key southern leaders.
“To ensure the President’s re-election success, Wike will continue to deliver on the Renewed Hope Agenda in the FCT, working to transform Abuja into a model capital city,” Olayinka concluded.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
