2027: My support for Tinubu won’t stop PDP from fielding candidates — Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has clarified that his political support ahead of the 2027 general elections is specifically for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election, insisting that he never agreed that the Peoples Democratic Party would withdraw from other elective contests.

Wike said the PDP remained free to field candidates for governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections, stressing that his commitment was limited to mobilising support for Tinubu’s presidential bid.

The minister made the clarification in a statement issued on Tuesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka.

He also dismissed claims that the so-called rainbow coalition was an arrangement involving the All Progressives Congress, APC, describing it instead as a platform bringing together politicians from different parties who support Tinubu’s re-election.

Wike said he did not negotiate with the APC before he and other members of the G5 governors backed Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election.

According to him, his position has not changed ahead of 2027, stressing that his support is for the President and should not be interpreted as an endorsement of the APC in other elections.

He said, “What I said and stand for is that I will mobilise support for the re-election of the President. I never promised anyone that PDP will not field candidates to contest governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections.

“Most importantly, rainbow coalition has nothing to do with the APC. Rather, it is our way of mobilising support across political parties for Mr President, who has done well to deserve a second term.”