Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that he will not contest the 2027 presidential election, despite the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) zoning its ticket to the South.

The former Rivers State governor made the declaration on Monday during his monthly media chat in Abuja.

Wike explained that his decision was rooted in loyalty and principle, insisting that he could not run for president while President Bola Tinubu, who appointed him as FCT Minister, remains in office.

“I will not run. I have integrity, I have character. There is no way my appointer is there, and we are saying he should run, and then I turn around and say I should run,” Wike said.

Wike stressed that his stance was not a matter of political expediency but of personal conviction. He added that his continued support for the PDP was out of love for the party, noting that it would have collapsed without his intervention.

“I have said if we don’t love PDP, by now you won’t be hearing that name. I don’t need to be a governor for me to do what I want to do,” he said.

The minister also cautioned opposition parties against arrogance and internal impunity, warning that unresolved crises could weaken them further.

“No opposition party can survive when they have a serious crisis. The duty of the opposition party is to see whatever way they can solve their problem, and it’s not by being arrogant and doing impunity. I don’t need to be a governor before I cause a small problem,” Wike stated.

Wike, a key figure in the PDP’s internal power struggles, has often criticized the party’s leadership while maintaining that he remains committed to its survival. His latest comments come amid heightened speculation about political alignments ahead of the 2027 elections.