Nyesom Wike’s aide, Lere Olayinka, has publicly stated that he believes not all of the 19 potential candidates preparing for the 2027 presidential election genuinely intend to win. Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, made the assertion without elaborating on which candidates he believes fall into this category. The statement implies some candidates may have other motivations for running, such as raising their profile or pursuing political goals beyond the presidency. This claim raises questions about the seriousness of all contenders as the election cycle approaches. The remark has sparked discussion regarding the true ambitions of various political actors positioning themselves for the 2027 race. The report originated from Vanguard News, a prominent Nigerian news outlet.