The minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe at Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna, over his recent analysis of the 2027 presidential election.
During an interview on Sunday, el-Rufai argued that President Bola Tinubu has no clear path to re-election, claiming the “best he could achieve is a third-place finish.”
He further suggested that the polls might head into two rounds, with no candidate securing the required majority in the first round.
Reacting on Monday, Wike faulted el-Rufai’s comments, saying the former Kaduna governor erred by predicting Tinubu would finish third without identifying who would come first or second.
“El-Rufai is my friend, but he failed in this mathematics, he goofed; he should have completed it, since he knows Tinubu would come third, he should also provide who would be first and second,” Wike said.
“How did he arrive at who will be third and and you don’t arrive at who will be first and second?
“One thing I like about el-Rufai is that he speaks his mind, but sometimes speaking your mind, say the one that is correct.
“In this one, I will put a bet, if he agrees, that Tinubu will win this election squarely.
“He said they should go and ask Jonathan. No two persons are the same. The mere fact that you were able to succeed in that does not mean you can do that [again].
“We are also here too. So, as I am sitting down here, do I look like someone you can come and win Rivers state from? It is not possible.”