Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has restated that his backing for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reelection bid is firm and non-negotiable. He clarified that he never gave any assurance that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, would stay out of governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly races.
In a statement released on Tuesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the Minister explained that the so-called “rainbow coalition” has no connection with the All Progressives Congress, APC. According to him, it is simply a gathering of members from different parties who are impressed by the President’s performance and want him back in office.
Wike added that he will not be the one to help candidates win elections in their states, stressing that “politics is local.” He said those facing challenges at the state level should fix them, instead of trying to use the President’s reelection campaign to gain sympathy.
He recalled that ahead of the 2023 elections, he and other members of the G5 did not hold any meeting with the APC before deciding to support Tinubu. For 2027, he said, his support remains solely for the President.
The FCT Minister also said politics has changed. “It is no longer about starting from fourth place and somehow becoming governor. It is about real grassroots mobilisation and winning from the polling units,” he stated.
Citing examples, he asked:
“In Imo State under Governor Hope Uzodinma, how did APC secure two senate seats in 2023, in an election held the same day as the presidential poll, when APC got less than 15 percent in the presidential vote? Was that the rainbow coalition? Were voters confused?
“Was it the rainbow coalition that helped APC win National Assembly seats in Ebonyi, Abia and Enugu, where the President scored less than 10 percent?
“If in 2023 voters in Imo, Abia, Enugu and Ebonyi could vote APC for Senate and another party for President, they won’t be confused in 2027 as long as we genuinely back the President this time.”
Wike urged party stakeholders to prioritize the presidential election first. “Once the President is reelected, we can then focus on the contests in our various states,” he said.
“What I said, and what I stand by, is that I will work to mobilise support for the President’s reelection. I never promised anyone that PDP will not present candidates for governorship, National Assembly or State Assembly elections.
“Most importantly, the rainbow coalition has nothing to do with APC. It is our own way of rallying support across party lines for Mr President, who has done enough to merit a second term,” he concluded.
