The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has defended the political support of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for President Bola Tinubu, dismissing opposition to the move by the APC Governors’ Forum.
The party said Wike had the constitutional and democratic right to determine who he supports politically, arguing that his backing of President Tinubu did not amount to abandoning the PDP.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, the PDP said the APC governors should be more concerned about their records in office than Wike’s political activities.
The party argued that the governors’ opposition to Wike’s involvement in the 2027 political contest reflected concern about facing strong opposition candidates at the polls.
According to the PDP, Wike’s position as a serving minister does not prevent him from maintaining his political identity and relationships within the opposition party.
The party said the APC governors had initially interpreted Wike’s support for Tinubu as an endorsement of the APC but were now realising that supporting the President did not require him to abandon the PDP.
It described calls for Wike not to support or field candidates capable of challenging APC governors and their preferred candidates as a political miscalculation.
The PDP maintained that every political party had the right to present candidates and compete for votes, stressing that electoral outcomes should be determined by voters.
It also questioned why governors who were confident in their performance would be concerned about facing opponents at the 2027 elections.
The opposition party said Wike’s experience as former governor of Rivers State and his current role as FCT minister had demonstrated his capacity for project execution, political organisation and electoral mobilisation.
It therefore argued that rejecting his contribution to Tinubu’s political campaign would be counterproductive if the APC was genuinely focused on securing the President’s victory.
The PDP further questioned whether the APC governors were primarily interested in Tinubu’s re-election or in protecting their own political positions.
The party urged the governors to concentrate on governance and accountability, including the management of funds accruing to their states through the Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC.
It also called on them to ensure that local governments receive funds due to them without undue interference.
The PDP described Wike as an asset rather than a liability to Tinubu’s political project, saying his political influence could contribute significantly to electoral mobilisation.
The party, however, maintained that the final decision would rest with Nigerian voters in 2027.
It said politicians who had performed would have the opportunity to present their records to the electorate, while those who had failed would face voters’ judgment.
The PDP vowed that it would continue to field candidates, mobilise supporters and participate fully in the 2027 elections rather than withdraw from the political contest.
It warned the APC Governors’ Forum against underestimating Wike, describing him as a political force that could not simply be dismissed.
