Politics:
Wike Backs Tinubu for 2027, Says PDP Can Contest Other Elections
Wike also dismissed any suggestion that the rainbow coalition is an arrangement with the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it instead as a platform through which members of different political parties can mobilise support for Tinubu.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has clarified that his support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 does not mean the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will not field candidates in other elections.
Wike said his position remains that he will mobilise support for Tinubu’s re-election, while the PDP remains free to contest governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections.
The minister made the clarification in a statement on Tuesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka.
Wike also dismissed any suggestion that the rainbow coalition is an arrangement with the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it instead as a platform through which members of different political parties can mobilise support for Tinubu.
He said he would not be responsible for helping individuals win elections in their respective states, arguing that political disputes at the state level should be resolved locally rather than being linked to the President’s re-election.
“Politics is local and those having problems in their States should resolve them instead of using the reelection of the President to whip up sentiments,” he said.
Wike recalled that he and other members of the G5 did not meet with the APC before supporting Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election.
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He stressed that his position for 2027 remains focused on the President.
According to him, electoral success should be based on genuine mobilisation and support at the polling units rather than assumptions about political alliances.
Wike cited the 2023 elections in Imo, Abia, Enugu and Ebonyi States, where voters supported different parties in presidential and National Assembly elections.
“In Imo State under Governor Hope Uzodinma, how did APC win two senate seats in 2023, in an election held the same day with that of the President and APC had less than 15 per cent in the presidential election? Was it rainbow coalition? Were the voters confused?
“Was it rainbow coalition that also made APC to win National Assembly elections in Ebonyi, Abia and Enugu States where the President did not have ten percent of the votes?
“If in 2023, the voters in Imo, Abia, Enugu and Ebonyi voted APC in the Senatorial election and voted another party in the presidential election, they won’t be confused in 2027 provided we all support the president genuinely this time?”
The FCT minister urged political stakeholders to prioritise Tinubu’s presidential re-election before turning their attention to contests in their respective states.
“What I said and stand for is that I will mobilise support for the reelection of the President. I never promised anyone that PDP will not field candidates to contest governorship, National Assembly and States House of Assembly elections,” he said.
He added that the rainbow coalition had no connection with the APC.
“Most importantly, rainbow coalition has nothing to do with the APC. Rather, it is own way of mobilising support accross political parties for Mr President, who has done well to deserve a second term,” he said.
