PDP DEFENDS WIKE’S SUPPORT FOR TINUBU, SAYS PARTY REMAINS ACTIVE

The Peoples Democratic Party has defended the decision of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid while remaining a member of the opposition party. The PDP said Wike’s position does not prevent the party from participating in the 2027 governorship and legislative elections. 

The party’s position comes amid growing political disagreements over Wike’s support for Tinubu and his activities under the Rainbow Coalition. Wike has maintained that his support is specifically for Tinubu at the presidential level and does not amount to supporting the All Progressives Congress in other elections.'

The FCT minister has also said the Rainbow Coalition is not an APC platform but an arrangement involving politicians from different parties who support Tinubu’s administration and 2027 presidential bid. He argued that members of the PDP remain free to contest other positions and that his support for Tinubu should not be interpreted as an instruction for the PDP to abandon its electoral contests.

The development has drawn criticism from some APC governors, who have said they would support APC candidates at all levels. Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodimma, said the forum would not participate in political arrangements capable of weakening the APC or affecting its candidates in the 2027 elections. 

Meanwhile, the Wike-backed faction of the PDP has continued to describe the minister as an influential figure within the party. The party’s representatives said Wike’s decision to support Tinubu does not prevent the PDP from presenting candidates and competing in other elections, highlighting the continuing political differences within the opposition party ahead of the 2027 general elections.