The National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, has said Nigerians, rather than former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or Labour Party’s Peter Obi, will hold the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, accountable after the 2027 general elections.

Wike had declared that he would be the first politician to suffer the consequences if either Atiku, of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), or Obi, of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), defeated President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

But reacting in an interview with Daily Independent, Tanko said Wike should prepare to face the Nigerian people over his alleged role in electoral manipulation.

“For me, it is the Nigerian people that will go after Wike in 2027, not Atiku or Obi. The truth of the matter is that he has had himself so negatively involved in crooked electoral systems in Nigeria and manipulation. He is one of those endangering our democracy,” Tanko said.

He accused the FCT minister of openly suggesting that he could influence electoral outcomes in favour of the ruling party.

Tanko particularly referenced Wike’s recent comment that President Tinubu would have sent him to Osun State if he wanted to win the governorship election there.

“This is a man who boldly came out and said that if President Tinubu wanted to win election in Osun State, he would have sent him there,” he said.

“What he is saying in essence is that if the president allowed him, he would have disenfranchised the people of Osun and rigged them out. He is also boasting that he can manipulate all forms of elections in favour of the party he supports.

“That is against the tenets of democracy.”

Tanko said the Obidient Movement remained committed to ensuring that Nigerians were allowed to freely choose their leaders through credible elections.

“We on our part believe in a free, fair and credible election where the voice of the people matters, their votes count and their will prevails,” he said.

He added: “So, let Wike get ready to manipulate the 2027 general elections. It is the Nigerian people that will come after him and make him a casualty, not Atiku or Peter Obi.” (Saturday Independent)