Wike Reaffirms Support For Tinubu, Says PDP Should Contest Other Elections
Dr. Nafisat Makinɗe, Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has reaffirmed his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, saying his position should not prevent the Peoples Democratic Party from contesting elections at the subnational level.
Wike spoke on Tuesday when a delegation of the PDP Board of Trustees, led by its Chairman, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, visited him at his Abuja residence to condole with him over the death of the party’s National Vice Chairman, South South, Chief Dan Orbih. The remarks were contained in a statement issued after the visit.
Ohuabunwa said the delegation also came to encourage Wike to remain focused, adding that he had sought the PDP’s approval before accepting his appointment as FCT minister. “We are here to solidarise with him, encourage him and tell him to remain focused,” Ohuabunwa said.
The delegation included Senator Zainab Kure, former Minister of Sports Damishi Sango and the BoT Secretary, Isah Dansidi, among others. Wike thanked the members for the visit and reiterated his commitment to remain in the PDP and work with other members to rebuild the party.
Wike also recalled Orbih’s role in his emergence as governor of Rivers State in 2015. “God used Dan Orbih to make me a governor. He was the Chairman of PDP in Edo State at that time and there was a crisis in Rivers State PDP. He chose to stand by the truth and that’s how I became governor,” he said. Orbih was a member of the PDP Board of Trustees and served as the party’s National Vice Chairman, South South.
On the 2027 presidential election, Wike said his support for Tinubu was consistent with his position in 2023. “After supporting President Tinubu in 2023, it will be wrong of me to support another person to face him when he is seeking re-election, and I have made this clear before now,” he said.
Wike added that his support for Tinubu should not prevent the PDP from contesting elections at the subnational level, maintaining his position that he would remain in the party and work with its members to rebuild it.