2027: ‘We are together’ — Wike unites APC, PDP forces for Tinubu 

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has brought together political rivals from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring himself the field commander of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Wike made the declaration on Monday during a meeting of the Rainbow Coalition at his Abuja residence, where candidates and stakeholders from both parties gathered to strategise on securing Tinubu’s second term.

The former Rivers State governor announced that he would personally coordinate the president’s campaign in both the FCT and Rivers State, insisting that political differences would not stand in the way of their common objective.

“For the presidency, all of us have agreed that it is Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I am going to coordinate the FCT and Rivers State. So you can imagine how important it is. I am in charge of the FCT election. I am the commander of field operations as far as the FCT election is concerned,” Wike declared.

He urged members of both parties to put aside their political affiliations and work together to deliver victory for the president.

“I want to let all of you know that we are going to work together. Nobody should say, ‘I am PDP’ or ‘I am APC.’ For the purpose of this election, we are together,” he said.

The gathering attracted APC and PDP chairmen, serving and former senators, National Assembly candidates and political leaders from the FCT’s six area councils.

In a significant development, PDP National Assembly candidates in the territory also declared support for their APC counterparts, reflecting the cross-party political arrangement being promoted by Wike.

The minister, however, explained that the coalition’s primary objective was Tinubu’s re-election, adding that participating parties could determine their positions on other electoral contests.

Defending the alliance, Wike recalled the 2024 Edo State governorship election, claiming that cooperation between political actors from the APC and PDP helped prevent the then-incumbent governor from installing his preferred successor.

He maintained that politicians could work across party lines when they shared a common political interest.

Wike also challenged critics of the Tinubu administration to identify any of the FCT’s six area councils that had not benefited from government projects.

He cited road construction, school renovations, police stations and other infrastructure projects as evidence of the administration’s performance.

The minister further highlighted the establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission and the creation of the Women Affairs and Youth Development Secretariats.

On the economic situation, Wike acknowledged that Nigerians were experiencing hardship but defended Tinubu’s reforms, arguing that their benefits would take time to materialise.

“Changing the economy of a country is not like a prayer,” he said.

Wike also backed the proposed establishment of state police, describing it as an important measure for tackling insecurity across the country.