Ogun chapter declares support for Tinubu Presidency

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-West, yesterday, distanced itself from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, following his public declaration of support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 – against the PDP’s official stance to unseat the All Progressives Congress (APC) government.

Wike, however, outlined fresh conditions for reconciliation within PDP, insisting that the party must reverse recent decisions he considered unjust, including the removal of Dan Orbih as the National Vice Chairman (South-South).

Reacting to Wike’s remarks, South-West PDP spokesperson, Sanya Atofarati, said: “Wike is not bigger than the PDP and cannot take unilateral decisions on its behalf. Leaders of the party in the South-West are united in their resolve to ensure Tinubu does not secure a second term and that PDP regains power in 2027.”

He further stressed that Wike’s position did not reflect the PDP’s position, adding: “Nigerians must understand that Wike’s support for Tinubu has nothing to do with our party.”

In a contrasting development, the Ogun State chapter of PDP openly declared its readiness to support Tinubu’s second-term bid. It stated this during the official campaign flag-off of PDP candidate, Bolarinwa Oluwole, for the Remo Federal Constituency by-election at the palace of the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, in Sagamu. Oluwole is seeking to replace the late Adewunmi Onanuga, who represented the constituency until his death in January.

Speaking at the event, Ogun PDP Chairman, Abayomi Tella, said: “We will support Tinubu. Though he belongs to the opposition, we must support our own from the South-West. Our votes will go to him in 2027.”

Echoing similar sentiments, the party’s 2023 governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, clarified that the PDP in Ogun had no issue with Tinubu’s re-election bid but remains opposed to Governor Dapo Abiodun’s leadership, which he described as disastrous.

“I met with the President in January and told him we support his leadership. Our issue is with bad governance in Ogun, and we must challenge it,” Adebutu stated.

Responding to Ogun PDP’s support for Tinubu, Atofarati said the chapter was free to make its choices but emphasised “it does not reflect the party’s zonal or national position.”

Atofarati said: “The Ogun chapter can decide its stance, but it does not change the collective position of the PDP in the South-West and nationally, that Tinubu must be stopped in 2027.”

He lambasted the APC for what he described as unprecedented economic decline under Tinubu’s leadership and condemned the party’s “coercive and desperate defection tactics,” warning that such moves would not shield the APC from accountability.

Speaking in his monthly television interview, Wike maintained that until the grievances were addressed, the PDP should not proceed with plans for its national convention scheduled for November.

“It is over for now, but there are still some things remaining,” he said. “The South-South zonal congress that was held in Calabar must be upheld. Orbih remains the National Vice Chairman for South-South. If they don’t agree, that’s an error on their part. If they want another round of crisis, so be it.”

Wike warned that any attempt to ignore the outcome of the Calabar congress would amount to impunity. “They say they’re going to the convention. I’m sorry. Let the matter be resolved first,” he insisted. On his support for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, Wike did not shy away from reaffirming his admiration for the President.

“Why wouldn’t I support a southern candidate – or even Tinubu, if he’s running again?” he queried. Citing Tinubu’s decision to remove the fuel subsidy on his first day in office, Wike described him as a leader with courage and conviction. “That is bold leadership,” he added.

Reiterating that he remains a PDP member, the former governor of Rivers State emphasised that he could not support any presidential candidate, regardless of party, who lacks competence. “At my level now, I cannot support someone I know is not competent, whether he’s my friend or not,” he said.