Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has clarified that his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 election does not mean the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will withdraw from other electoral contests.
Wike made the clarification on Tuesday through a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka.
The FCT Minister said his commitment for 2027 was specifically to mobilise support for Tinubu’s re-election, stressing that he never promised that the PDP would refrain from presenting candidates for governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections.
According to Wike, the Rainbow Coalition is not an arrangement with the All Progressives Congress (APC). He described it as a platform involving members of different political parties who support Tinubu’s bid for another term.
He also responded to comments from Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodinma, concerning the coalition.
Wike said he would not assist politicians in securing electoral victories in their respective states, arguing that political actors facing challenges within their states should address those issues locally rather than linking them to Tinubu’s presidential campaign.
The former Rivers State governor recalled that he and other members of the G5 governors supported Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election without first reaching an agreement with the APC.
He maintained that his position for 2027 remains focused on the presidential contest.
Wike also pointed to the voting patterns recorded in the 2023 elections in states including Imo, Abia, Enugu and Ebonyi, where voters supported different parties in presidential and National Assembly contests.
He questioned whether such voting patterns should be interpreted as evidence of a coalition, noting that voters can make different choices in separate elections.
The minister urged political stakeholders to prioritise the presidential election before turning their attention to governorship and legislative contests.
“Most importantly, rainbow coalition has nothing to do with the APC,” Wike said, adding that the arrangement was intended to mobilise support across political parties for Tinubu.
His clarification comes amid ongoing political discussions surrounding alliances and party strategies ahead of the 2027 general elections.
