Lere Olayinka, an aide to former Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike, has publicly questioned whether Atiku Abubakar is still pursuing a presidential bid, according to reports carried by Vanguard News and Daily Post Nigeria. The remarks, published on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, also took aim at the ADC campaign and at Peter Obi.
In one report cited by Daily Post Nigeria, Olayinka framed his comments around two claims: that it remains unclear whether Atiku is still in the race, and that Obi had gone two days without misleading Nigerians. The same outlet reported separately that Olayinka suggested northern support for Atiku may not hold in 2031.
A further Daily Post Nigeria report quoted Olayinka mocking Obi, saying the biggest political shift of 2027 would come from Obidients backing Atiku. Vanguard News reported his comments under the question of whether Atiku is still contesting, tying them to the ADC campaign.
The statements come from a political camp aligned with Wike rather than from Atiku's own team, and no response from Atiku or Obi is included in the reporting summarized here. The remarks add to public speculation about how Nigeria's opposition figures will position themselves ahead of the 2027 vote.
What to watch next: whether Atiku Abubakar or Peter Obi directly addresses the claims, and how the ADC campaign responds.
