The Peoples Democratic Party has defended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, following the rejection of his political support for President Bola Tinubu by the All Progressives Congress Governors’ Forum.
The PDP said Wike remained a major political force whose support could contribute significantly to Tinubu’s re-election bid, insisting that the minister had the constitutional right to decide whom he would support politically.
The party stated this in a press release issued on Tuesday and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed.
The statement followed the position of the APC governors that their members would not participate in, support or endorse any political arrangement capable of undermining the APC or its candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The PDP argued that Wike was not the problem of the APC governors, but that their concerns were rooted in their governance records and fear of facing strong opposition candidates at the polls.
“The APC Governors’ Forum should understand that Wike is not their problem; their problem is their poor governance and failure to meet the expectations of their people,” the party said.
According to the PDP, Wike’s support for Tinubu did not amount to an endorsement of the APC or require him to abandon his membership and political relationships within the PDP.
It said the minister, who is serving in the APC-led Federal Government, could legitimately support Tinubu while retaining his political identity.
The opposition party accused the APC governors of initially misinterpreting Wike’s support for Tinubu as support for the ruling party.
“The APC governors had initially misconceived Wike’s support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as an endorsement of the APC. They are now beginning to realise that supporting the President does not mean abandoning the PDP or surrendering the political space to the APC,” the statement said.
The PDP also rejected what it described as the governors’ attempt to prevent Wike from supporting or fielding candidates capable of challenging APC candidates in the 2027 elections.
It argued that political parties had the right to field candidates for elective positions and that voters should be allowed to determine the outcome.
“Elections are contests, and every political party has the democratic right to present candidates before the electorate,” the party said.
The PDP further claimed that the APC governors’ position reflected anxiety over the prospect of facing strong PDP candidates in the next general elections.
It maintained that the PDP had stabilised and was preparing candidates across elective positions who could challenge APC incumbents and their preferred candidates.
The party questioned why governors who were confident in their records would be concerned about opposition candidates contesting against them.
“If they have truly performed and retained the confidence of their people, they should welcome a contest and allow the electorate to decide,” the PDP said.
The party also highlighted Wike’s political record as a former governor of Rivers State and his performance as FCT minister, describing him as a political organiser and mobiliser whose influence could not simply be ignored.
It argued that rejecting Wike’s support would be counterproductive for anyone seeking Tinubu’s victory in 2027.
“It is therefore politically irrational for anyone claiming to support the President to reject a political leader of Wike’s stature and the votes and mobilisation capacity he can bring to the President’s campaign,” the statement said.
The PDP questioned whether the APC governors were more interested in securing their own political victories than ensuring Tinubu’s re-election.
“A governor who truly wants the President to win should welcome every credible political force capable of contributing to that victory,” it said.
The party urged the governors to focus on governance, accountability and their performance in office instead of attempting to determine whom Wike should support politically.
It also challenged them to account for resources accruing to their states through the Federation Account Allocation Committee and ensure that local governments receive funds due to them.
Describing Wike as an “asset” to Tinubu’s political project, the PDP said his political influence and mobilisation capacity could contribute to the President’s electoral prospects.
It, however, maintained that the ultimate decision would rest with voters in 2027.
“At the appropriate time, Nigerians will decide with their votes. Those who have performed will present their records, while those who have failed will face the judgment of the electorate,” the party said.
The PDP said it would not be intimidated into withdrawing from the electoral contest, adding that it would field candidates and campaign for an alternative ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The message to the APC Governors’ Forum is simple: Chief Barrister Nyesom Wike is a force to reckon with, not a force to reject,” the party said.
It added, “The PDP will not be intimidated into abandoning the electoral field. We will field credible candidates, mobilise Nigerians and offer the electorate a genuine alternative come 2027.”
