Wike Hits Back At Uzodinma Over 2027 PDP Candidate Claim

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has clarified his position on the 2027 general elections, saying his commitment is to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election and not to prevent the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from fielding candidates in other elections.

According to reports, Wike made the clarification in response to comments by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma concerning his proposed Rainbow Coalition and the political arrangements ahead of the 2027 elections.

Uzodinma had disclosed that governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) met at the Imo State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja on Monday night and resolved to support only candidates sponsored by the ruling party in the 2027 elections.

The APC governors, according to Uzodinma, also agreed to reject political alliances or parallel structures that could undermine President Tinubu’s re-election bid or weaken the ruling party.

However, Wike, through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, said his position remains clear: he will mobilise support for Tinubu’s return to office but has never promised that the PDP would not contest other positions.

Wike also stressed that the Rainbow Coalition is not an APC platform, describing it as an initiative involving members of different political parties who support the President’s performance and want to see him secure a second term.

The former Rivers State governor recalled that he and other members of the G5 did not reach an agreement with the APC before supporting Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election, insisting that the same principle would guide his position in 2027.

Taking a swipe at Uzodinma, Wike questioned how the APC secured legislative victories in some South-East states in 2023 despite the party recording significantly lower support in the presidential election in those states.

He cited Imo, Ebonyi, Abia and Enugu as examples where voters supported APC candidates in some National Assembly contests while backing another party in the presidential election.

Wike argued that voters could make similar choices in 2027 while still supporting Tinubu for president.

He maintained that his priority is to ensure Tinubu’s re-election before political actors turn their attention to governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly contests.

“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,” Wike said.

He further reiterated that the Rainbow Coalition should not be confused with the APC, describing it as a cross-party effort to mobilise support for Tinubu’s re-election.

Wike maintained that his support for the President does not amount to abandoning the political interests of other parties or preventing them from participating in the 2027 elections.