Wike's Defiant Declaration: 'No Electoral Help for Politicians'

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has firmly articulated his political priorities leading up to the 2027 general elections, stating unequivocally that his primary objective is to rally support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid. This clarification, issued on Tuesday via a statement from his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, underscores Wike's commitment to Tinubu's second term. However, Wike stressed that he has never offered assurances that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would abstain from presenting candidates for governorship, National Assembly, and State House of Assembly elections.

Addressing politicians grappling with electoral challenges in their respective states, Wike advised them to resolve such issues locally, rather than attempting to link them to the President’s re-election campaign. He emphasized the local nature of politics, asserting, “I won’t be the one to help people to win elections in their states. Politics is local, and those having problems in their states should resolve them instead of using the re-election of the President to whip up sentiments.”

Furthermore, the FCT minister dispelled notions that the 'rainbow coalition' he champions is an affiliate of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He clarified that this coalition comprises politicians from diverse political parties who have independently chosen to support President Tinubu, based on their assessment of his performance and their collective desire for his return to office in 2027. “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,” Wike stated.

Wike reminisced about his role, alongside other members of the G5, in supporting Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election, a decision made without prior discussions with the APC. He confirmed that this same principle would guide his stance in 2027, reaffirming that his objective is solely to back Tinubu’s presidential ambition, not to influence or dictate the outcomes of state elections for any party. According to the minister, political parties and candidates aspiring for electoral success must cultivate grassroots support, arguing that victories can no longer be secured solely through political calculations or external influence.

To buttress his point, Wike cited the 2023 elections in Imo, Abia, Enugu, and Ebonyi states, where voters demonstrated their capacity to make distinct choices in presidential and legislative contests. He highlighted how the APC secured two senatorial seats in Imo State in 2023 despite receiving less than 15 percent of the presidential votes in the state. Similar patterns were observed in Ebonyi, Abia, and Enugu, where the APC achieved National Assembly victories despite recording less than 10 percent of the presidential votes in some instances. These results, Wike concluded, demonstrate that “voters were capable of separating presidential and state-level elections.”

In closing, Wike urged political actors to prioritize President Tinubu’s presidential re-election before shifting their focus to other electoral battles. “After the President must have been re-elected, we can all go and face elections in our states,” he advised. He reiterated that his support for Tinubu would not impede other political parties from participating in governorship and legislative elections, firmly stating, “What I said and stand for is that I will mobilise support for the re-election of the President. I never promised anyone that PDP will not field candidates to contest governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections.”