Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that his political mission is to keep opposition figures Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi under pressure ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Wike made the statement on Friday in Abuja, arguing that Nigeria currently lacks a strong opposition party capable of mounting a serious challenge to the ruling party.

The former Rivers State governor, who remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but supports President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, said the crisis within the PDP had weakened its position as the country’s leading opposition platform.

Wike said opposition politicians should not expect him to make their political journey easier, stressing that political contests are about defeating opponents rather than helping them succeed.

“I don’t want them to feel well. It is not my wish for them to feel well. My business is to make them not feel well all day, because they will be having high blood pressure,” Wike said.

He added: “When you are having a contest with somebody, your business is not to make him feel well. Your business is to make sure that you beat him thoroughly.”

Wike said he was unconcerned about how Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, or Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, reacted to his criticisms.

“How Atiku feels, how Obi feels, does not give me a headache,” he said.

The FCT minister has repeatedly criticised both opposition figures in recent weeks.

On Thursday, Wike described Atiku as a “voodoo economist” while attacking his promise to restore petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027. He also accused the former vice-president of changing his position on subsidy removal for political reasons.

Wike has similarly dismissed Obi’s presidential ambition, previously describing him as a “social media presidential candidate.”