Wike Draws Red Line for 2027, Says Support Strictly for Tinubu, PDP Free to Contest Other Seats

By Stanley Onyekwere

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has drawn a firm distinction in his 2027 electoral strategy, declaring that his alignment with the ruling party begins and ends with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a statement issued on Tuesday through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the minister clarified that his support for President Tinubu does not mean that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will surrender other elective positions to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Wike confirmed that he would mobilise cross-party voters exclusively for Tinubu’s presidential re-election bid while allowing the PDP to contest governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly seats on its own merits.

Reaffirming that his multi-party platform is designed solely to build broad support for the President, Wike rejected claims that the coalition is an extension of the APC structure or an attempt to weaken opposition candidates at the state level.

Dismissing concerns that cross-party endorsements could confuse voters, Wike cited the 2023 general election in states such as Imo, Abia, Enugu and Ebonyi, where voters supported opposition parties in legislative elections despite giving the ruling party relatively low margins in the presidential election.

Advising state-level politicians to focus on winning their own polling units, the minister rejected accusations that he was undermining local opposition candidates. He said politicians struggling in their home states should address their internal challenges rather than hide behind the presidential election.

“What I said and stand for is that I will mobilise support for the re-election of the President.

“I never promised anyone that the PDP will not field candidates to contest governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections,” Wike stated.