Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has expressed confidence that concerns over hunger and insecurity will not prevent President Bola Tinubu from winning re-election in the 2027 presidential election.
Wike made the statement on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, during a media parley with selected journalists in Abuja.
The minister acknowledged that economic hardship and insecurity would feature in discussions around the 2027 election but argued that voting decisions in Nigeria are influenced by factors beyond individual assessments of government performance.
According to Wike, many voters maintain political relationships at the family, community, local government and ward levels, creating a degree of dependence on political leaders.
“There is no election in Nigeria where the issue of hunger and insecurity won’t come up,” Wike said.
He urged commentators to consider the realities of Nigeria’s political environment when assessing how voters make electoral choices, rather than relying solely on theoretical assumptions about voter behaviour.
Wike also recalled that similar concerns over insecurity and hardship were raised during elections held under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
He argued that many Nigerians depend on political leaders for various forms of assistance, including food and other support, which he said can influence their decisions at the polls.
The minister’s comments come as political parties and potential contenders begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the state of the economy, insecurity and living conditions expected to remain major issues in the campaign.
