2027: PDP Clears Wike To Back Tinubu As APGA Endorses Soludo

Three opposition parties, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Accord, have expressed support for the roles assigned to some of their prominent members in efforts to secure President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

According to reports monitored by Ireporter Online, the reactions followed the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s announcement of appointments to its expanded Presidential Campaign Council, which included Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo; and Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke.

The appointments have drawn attention because the three politicians belong to parties other than the ruling APC. However, their respective parties have offered different explanations for their involvement in the President’s re-election campaign.

The PDP said Wike’s decision to support Tinubu was consistent with an earlier understanding within the party, while APGA reaffirmed its endorsement of the President. An Accord chieftain also welcomed Adeleke’s reported campaign role.

The PDP’s National Publicity Secretary of the National Caretaker Committee, Jungudo Mohammed, said Wike had received the party’s blessing to work with Tinubu during the tenure of former PDP National Chairman Umar Damagum.

Mohammed described the FCT minister’s inclusion in the campaign council as unsurprising, arguing that Wike’s support for the President had been established since the beginning of the current administration.

He stressed that Wike was working to support Tinubu’s presidency rather than acting as a member of the APC, adding that the party had previously accepted his decision to collaborate with the Federal Government.

Meanwhile, APGA has congratulated Soludo on his appointment as coordinator of Tinubu’s presidential campaign in Anambra State and reiterated its support for the President’s re-election bid.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Ejimofor Opara, the party said Soludo’s appointment reflected his leadership experience, commitment to progressive ideals and willingness to cooperate with the Federal Government.

APGA recalled that it adopted Tinubu as its consensus presidential candidate at a National Executive Committee meeting held during the President’s working visit to Anambra State on May 8, 2025. The party said its decision meant it would not field a presidential candidate in the 2027 election.

The party maintained that its support for Tinubu would not prevent it from contesting other elections or campaigning for its candidates seeking seats in the Senate, House of Representatives and state Houses of Assembly.

It expressed confidence that Soludo would use his political experience and influence to mobilise support for Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, while continuing to advance APGA’s interests in Anambra State.

In a related development, Accord chieftain Bamidele Salam welcomed Adeleke’s reported appointment to lead Tinubu’s re-election campaign in Osun State.

The APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, had confirmed that the ruling party was reaching out to opposition politicians to secure support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election.

Yilwatda said the APC had approached Adeleke despite previously contesting against him in Osun State. He also disclosed that the party had sought the support of Soludo following its electoral defeat in Anambra State and had reached out to Wike regarding the President’s re-election campaign in Rivers State and the FCT.

According to the APC chairman, the outreach was motivated by national interest and the desire to build support for Tinubu beyond the ruling party’s membership.

Meanwhile, Wike has insisted that his Rainbow Coalition will remain active ahead of the 2027 elections, dismissing suggestions that the political group poses a threat to the APC.

Speaking during his monthly media chat in Abuja, the minister said the coalition brings together APC members and supporters of Tinubu from other political parties who share the objective of securing the President’s re-election.

Wike maintained that supporting Tinubu does not necessarily mean backing every APC candidate in other elections, explaining that coalition members could support the President while making different choices in legislative and other contests.

His position has reportedly contributed to disagreements with some APC governors, including Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, who chairs the APC Progressive Governors’ Forum. The disagreements centre on concerns about political alliances that could affect the ruling party’s candidates in other elections.

Wike rejected suggestions that the Rainbow Coalition was a new or threatening political arrangement, insisting that it was intended to unite supporters of the President across party lines.

He said the coalition would continue working towards Tinubu’s re-election and urged those opposed to the group to address their concerns directly rather than treating the arrangement as a political threat.

The developments highlight the growing cross-party manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 general election, as political parties and prominent figures position themselves around Tinubu’s re-election campaign while seeking to preserve their own interests in other electoral contests.