The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has called on members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) across Nigeria to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, insisting that political affiliation should not stand in the way of the president’s second-term ambition.
Wike, who also leads the Rainbow Coalition, made the call on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, during the unveiling of candidates backed by the coalition.
The event was attended by Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, former governor and Senator Magnus Abe, and other political leaders.
Wike said the coalition was established to unite politicians across party lines in Rivers State and mobilise support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
He specifically urged PDP members in Rivers, Kwara, Benue, Ondo, Ogun and other states to support the president regardless of their party affiliations.
“Every PDP member in Rivers State will support Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Every PDP member in Kwara State, you will support Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Every PDP member in Benue State, you will support Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
The FCT minister also criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, questioning his capacity to provide an alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Wike challenged the possibility of Atiku emerging as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), asking whether voters in Rivers State would support him.
He also criticised former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi over his record in office between 2007 and 2015, citing past commitments on malaria prevention and other development initiatives.
Wike further made allegations concerning the handling of funds during Amaechi’s administration, referring to a judicial panel of inquiry and subsequent court proceedings to support his argument.
The allegations were not independently established at the event.
Wike, Fubara Reaffirm Political Cooperation
Wike described the Rainbow Coalition as a new approach to politics in Rivers State, with politicians from different parties working together to promote peace, development and inclusive governance.
He urged political actors to avoid actions capable of reopening old divisions in the state, warning against attempts to trigger further political crises.
The minister also thanked Fubara for attending the gathering and unveiling the candidates, describing the governor as part of the coalition’s political family.
In his remarks, Fubara described the event as an opportunity for political allies to reunite and work together for the development of Rivers State.
The governor acknowledged Wike’s role in his emergence as governor, saying his political journey would not have been possible without the support of the FCT minister and other political leaders.
“I’m really happy to be here. Not just being here, standing in the midst of my family. This is my family because I wouldn’t have been the governor of Rivers State if, by the grace of Almighty, I had not passed through my oga and other leaders to make it possible in our dear state,” Fubara said.
He added that despite previous disagreements, the leaders shared a responsibility to work towards the state’s progress.
“So no matter what has happened, I’m very grateful today that, one way or the other, we are back together for a better cause and for the good of our dear state,” he said.
Fubara also pledged to support Tinubu’s re-election and work towards securing victory for candidates backed by the coalition.
Abe Challenges Amaechi Over Atiku Alliance
Also speaking at the event, Senator Magnus Abe called on Amaechi to reconsider his reported decision to serve as Atiku’s running mate, arguing that the arrangement conflicted with the principle of power rotation between northern and southern Nigeria.
Abe maintained that the South should retain the presidency under the rotational arrangement and said Rivers State would support Tinubu’s candidacy.
“On behalf of all of us here gathered in Rivers State, we want to call on Amaechi to immediately respect his own position and resign as the vice-presidential candidate to Atiku Abubakar, because it is the turn of the South, and Rivers State will stand by the agreement between the North and the South,” he said.
He urged Amaechi to uphold what he described as his previous position on rotational presidency and reaffirmed the coalition’s commitment to mobilising support for Tinubu.
Candidates Pledge People-Oriented Governance
Speaking on behalf of candidates from six political parties, the APC governorship candidate, Kingsley Chinda, said the coalition was committed to moving Rivers State away from divisive partisan politics towards collective leadership.
Chinda said the alliance was united by its support for Tinubu’s re-election and its stated commitment to peace and development in the state.
He pledged that candidates elected under the coalition would prioritise the interests of Rivers residents and pursue inclusive governance.
“We are going to run a government for the people, that will place the interests of Rivers people first,” he said.
Chinda also said the partnership should extend beyond the elections, with participating parties contributing to governance and the development of the state.
He commended the political leaders for their efforts to restore peace in Rivers State and expressed confidence that the coalition would contribute to peaceful elections, a smooth transition and development-focused governance.
The gathering signals an effort by Wike and his allies to consolidate a cross-party political alliance in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections, while building support for Tinubu’s re-election campaign.
