The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, as a political force to be reckoned with, dismissing the reported opposition of the APC Governors’ Forum to his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The PDP, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, on Tuesday, said the APC governors should be more concerned about their governance records and performance than attempting to determine whom Wike should support politically.
According to the party, the reported rejection of Wike’s political support for President Tinubu was driven by fear that the governors’ records would be exposed during the 2027 elections.
The PDP maintained that Wike has a constitutional and democratic right to decide whom he supports politically, stressing that his support for President Tinubu does not amount to abandoning the PDP or automatically endorsing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Wike has every constitutional and democratic right to decide whom he supports politically. His support for President Tinubu is legitimate,” the statement said.
The opposition party also dismissed the demand that Wike should not support or field candidates capable of challenging APC governors and their preferred candidates in 2027.
It argued that elections are contests and that every political party has the democratic right to present candidates before the electorate.
The PDP further claimed that the APC governors’ reported stance showed growing anxiety within the ruling party over the prospect of confronting strong PDP candidates in the 2027 elections.
The party said it had stabilised and was preparing to field candidates across elective positions who could challenge APC governors and their preferred candidates.
It questioned why governors who claimed to have performed well would be concerned about facing opponents at the polls.
“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 influence, citing his record as former Governor of Rivers State and his performance as FCT Minister.
According to the PDP, Wike has demonstrated capacity in project delivery, political organisation and electoral mobilisation, making him an important political asset to any campaign.
The party consequently questioned the reported opposition by some APC governors to Wike’s support for President Tinubu, asking whether they were genuinely interested in the President’s victory or primarily focused on securing their own political fortunes.
“A governor who truly wants the President to win should welcome every credible political force capable of contributing to that victory,” the PDP said.
The opposition party urged the APC Governors’ Forum to focus on governance, accountability and performance rather than attempting to dictate Wike’s political choices.
It also challenged the governors to account for the resources accruing to their states through the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) and ensure that local governments receive funds due to them without undue interference.
The PDP insisted that Wike was not a liability to President Tinubu’s political project, describing him instead as “an asset, a mobiliser and a force capable of contributing significantly to electoral victory.”
It said Nigerians would ultimately determine the political fate of the various parties and candidates through their votes in 2027.
“Chief Barrister Nyesom Wike is a force to reckon with, not a force to reject. Those who underestimate his capacity do so at their own political peril,” the party stated.
The PDP further declared that it would not be intimidated into abandoning the electoral field, promising to field credible candidates and offer Nigerians an alternative in the 2027 elections.
The statement was signed by Hon. Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, National Publicity Secretary of the PDP.
