The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has defended Nyesom Wike’s political support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying the FCT Minister remains a significant political force ahead of the 2027 elections.
The party was reacting to the reported position of the APC Governors’ Forum against the political support being offered by Wike to the President. In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, the PDP said the governors should focus on their performance rather than questioning Wike’s political choices.
The PDP argued that Wike has the constitutional and democratic right to decide which political candidate he supports. It also maintained that his backing of Tinubu does not automatically amount to abandoning the PDP or joining the APC.
According to the party, APC governors initially interpreted Wike’s support for Tinubu as an endorsement of the ruling party. It said the governors were now realising that supporting the President could coexist with maintaining political relationships and identity within the PDP.
The opposition party also rejected calls for Wike not to support candidates capable of challenging APC governors and their preferred candidates. It described such a position as a political miscalculation, stressing that political parties have the right to field candidates for elections.
The PDP further claimed that the reported opposition to Wike reflected anxiety within the APC over the possibility of facing strong candidates in 2027. It said the PDP had stabilised and was preparing candidates capable of competing across various elective positions.
The party questioned why governors who were confident about their records would be concerned about facing opponents at the polls. It argued that governors who had performed well should allow voters to judge their records through a competitive electoral process.
The PDP also highlighted Wike’s record as former Rivers State governor and current FCT minister. It credited him with project delivery, political organisation and electoral mobilisation, arguing that his influence could not simply be dismissed.
It therefore questioned the rationale behind rejecting Wike’s political support while seeking President Tinubu’s victory. The party asked whether the APC governors were primarily concerned about the President’s electoral success or their individual political interests.
The PDP urged the governors to concentrate on governance, accountability and the management of public resources. It specifically called on them to account for funds accruing to their states through the Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC, and ensure that local governments receive funds due to them.
The party insisted that Wike should be viewed as an asset rather than a liability to Tinubu’s political project. It said Nigerians would ultimately determine the outcome of the 2027 elections through their votes.
The PDP maintained that it would not withdraw from the electoral contest. It said the party would field candidates, mobilise voters and seek to provide an alternative at the 2027 polls.
The party concluded that Wike was “a force to reckon with” and urged APC governors to focus on their governance records instead of attempting to determine his political choices.
