A faction of Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has publicly rejected speculation that it plans to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027. The statement was made by the National Publicity Secretary of the faction aligned with former Rivers State Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Speaking on Channels Television’s ‘Morning Brief’ on Monday, Jungudo Mohammed asserted that the faction remains committed to the PDP and will present its own presidential candidate in the next general election. “We are not supporting President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2027 general election. We will do everything to field our own candidate,” Mohammed stated.
He directly addressed persistent rumours suggesting the Wike-aligned bloc is positioning itself as an appendage of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). “All these rumours about us supporting APC or being an appendage of the APC will come to pass,” he said, adding that such narratives are intended to discredit both the PDP and Minister Wike. “Time will take care of all these rumours and propaganda,” he concluded, appealing to Nigerians for patience as the party undertakes its internal processes.
This declaration underscores the ongoing internal tension within the PDP, which stems from the party’s 2023 presidential primary and the subsequent emergence of divergent factions. The Wike-aligned group was instrumental in the campaign of the party’s former presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, but has remained at odds with the current national leadership headed by National Chairman Umar Damagum.
For the PDP to mount a credible challenge in 2027, national reconciliation and a unified primary process are widely seen as essential. Mohammed’s comments signal that the faction intends to contest influence within the party framework rather than defect. His appeal for time suggests the group is strategising ahead of the PDP’s presidential primary, expected in the coming years.
The faction’s firm stance highlights the complex political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 elections. While the PDP seeks to regroup as a cohesive opposition, internal dynamics will significantly shape its capacity to present a single candidate against President Tinubu, should he seek re-election. The party’s ability to resolve its internal disputes and conduct transparent primaries will be a critical factor in Nigeria’s multi-party democratic landscape.
