The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has reiterated that his support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027 remains unwavering, clarifying that he never promised that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would not field candidates in other elections.

Wike said his support was specifically for Tinubu’s presidential bid and did not extend to preventing the PDP from contesting governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections across the country.

The FCT Minister made the clarification in a statement issued on Tuesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka.

Wike also dismissed suggestions that the emerging “rainbow coalition” was an arrangement with the All Progressives Congress (APC), explaining that it was a platform for politicians from different parties who were impressed by Tinubu’s performance and had chosen to support his re-election.

According to him, the coalition is aimed at mobilising support for the President across political parties.

Wike said he would not allow himself to be used to help individuals win elections in their respective states, insisting that political disputes at the state level should be resolved locally.

“Politics is local and those having problems in their States should resolve them instead of using the reelection of the President to whip up sentiments,” he said.

The former Rivers State governor also recalled that he and other members of the G5 did not meet with the APC before supporting Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election.

He maintained that his position for 2027 remains focused on supporting Tinubu’s re-election.

Wike argued that the voting pattern in the 2023 elections demonstrated that Nigerians could vote for different parties in presidential and legislative elections held on the same day.

He cited Imo State, where the APC won two senatorial seats in 2023 despite recording less than 15 per cent of the presidential vote in the state.

He also referenced the APC’s victories in National Assembly elections in Ebonyi, Abia and Enugu states, where Tinubu reportedly received less than 10 per cent of the presidential votes.

“Was it rainbow coalition that also made APC to win National Assembly elections in Ebonyi, Abia and Enugu States where the President did not have ten percent of the votes?” Wike asked.

He said the voting pattern showed that voters were capable of distinguishing between presidential and other elections.

“If in 2023, the voters in Imo, Abia, Enugu and Ebonyi voted APC in the Senatorial election and voted another party in the presidential election, they won’t be confused in 2027 provided we all support the president genuinely this time,” he said.

Wike urged political stakeholders to prioritise the presidential election, saying other political contests could be addressed after Tinubu’s re-election.

“After the President must have been reelected, we can all go and face elections in our States,” he said.

The FCT Minister further stated: “What I said and stand for is that I will mobilise support for the reelection of the President. I never promised anyone that PDP will not field candidates to contest governorship, National Assembly and States House of Assembly elections.

“Most importantly, rainbow coalition has nothing to do with the APC. Rather, it is our own way of mobilising support across political parties for Mr President, who has done well to deserve a second term.”