2027: PDP Backs Wike’s Tinubu Campaign, Says He Can Remain in Party

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has defended Nyesom Wike’s decision to remain a member of the party while mobilising support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election through the Rainbow Coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.

PDP National Publicity Secretary Jungudo Mohammed said Wike had a constitutional and democratic right to support a presidential candidate of his choice, regardless of the political party on whose platform the candidate is contesting.

“Wike has every constitutional and democratic right to decide whom he supports politically,” Mohammed said, arguing that the FCT minister’s support for Tinubu did not amount to abandoning his membership or political identity within the PDP.

The PDP’s position comes amid a growing disagreement between Wike and APC governors over the Rainbow Coalition. APC Governors Forum Chairman Hope Uzodimma recently said APC governors would not support political arrangements that could weaken the party or its candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.

Wike has maintained that the Rainbow Coalition is separate from the APC and exists to mobilise support across political parties for Tinubu’s presidential re-election. He has also made clear that his support for Tinubu does not prevent the PDP from fielding candidates for governorship and legislative elections.

The PDP spokesperson criticised the APC governors’ opposition to Wike’s activities, alleging that their concerns were linked to the prospect of facing strong opposition candidates in 2027. Those comments represent the PDP faction’s position and were not independently established as fact.

Mohammed further argued that supporting Tinubu at the presidential level should not require Wike or other PDP members to abandon the party or stop participating in contests for other offices. He said political parties retained the right to field candidates across the various levels of the 2027 elections.

Wike has similarly argued that Nigerian voters can support candidates from different parties at different levels of an election. He cited the 2023 elections, when some states recorded different party outcomes in presidential and legislative contests.

The dispute has therefore created an unusual political situation ahead of 2027, with Wike remaining a PDP member while serving in the APC-led federal government and openly supporting Tinubu’s presidential bid. At the same time, the APC governors have said their priority is protecting the party’s candidates and political structure.

With the PDP defending Wike’s position and APC governors distancing themselves from his coalition, the disagreement is likely to remain a significant issue in the political realignment ahead of the 2027 elections.