A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has hit back at the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors’ Forum over its opposition to the rainbow coalition led by Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in Rivers State.
The Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) had said on Monday that it would not support any alliance or political arrangement capable of undermining President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid or the party’s candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
The rainbow coalition is a cross-party political alliance backing Tinubu’s bid for a second term.
Wike, a PDP member, said in January that the coalition represented a move away from conventional party politics towards a broader political movement focused on promoting the interests of the state.
Reacting in a statement on Tuesday, Jungudo Mohammed, national publicity secretary of the PDP faction backed by Wike, said the APC governors’ position was motivated by concerns over Wike’s political influence.
Mohammed said the governors had initially viewed Wike’s backing of Tinubu as an indication that he was supporting the APC, but had now recognised that the minister could support the President while maintaining his political identity and relationships within the PDP.
The PDP spokesperson also criticised the APC governors for opposing Wike’s right to support candidates contesting governorship and legislative seats against APC candidates in 2027.
“The APC Governors’ Forum should understand that Wike is not their problem; their problem is their poor governance and failure to meet the expectations of their people,” the statement reads.
“Their opposition to Wike’s support is driven by fear. The fear that their poor records of performance will be exposed at the polls. Wike has every constitutional and democratic right to decide whom he supports politically.”
Mohammed maintained that Wike’s support for Tinubu did not mean he had abandoned the PDP or given up his political influence within the party.
He said efforts to stabilise the PDP following its internal crisis, alongside the party’s ability to field candidates capable of challenging the APC in 2027, had increased concerns within the ruling party.
“If they have truly performed and retained the confidence of their people, they should welcome a contest and allow the electorate to decide,” he said.
“It is therefore politically irrational for anyone claiming to support the President to reject a political leader of Wike’s stature and the votes and mobilisation capacity he can bring to the President’s campaign.”
Mohammed urged APC governors to concentrate on governance, accountability and their performance in office instead of attempting to influence Wike’s political choices.