By Reloaded News Desk
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reiterated its determination to maintain its independent political identity ahead of the 2027 general elections, amid growing controversy over support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
The development comes as divisions deepen within the opposition party over the Rainbow Coalition promoted by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike to mobilise support for Tinubu’s second term.
Several PDP state chapters, including Imo, Oyo, Edo and Bauchi, rejected arrangements they believe could undermine their candidates’ electoral interests. The chapters insisted that their candidates would contest under the PDP platform rather than withdraw in favour of candidates from other parties.
The disagreements have exposed the difficulty of reconciling Wike’s support for Tinubu’s presidential ambition with the electoral objectives of PDP candidates seeking elective offices across the country.
In Oyo State, PDP governorship candidate Hazeem Gbolarumi reportedly ruled out any arrangement requiring the party’s candidates to step aside for candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) or other political parties.
Similarly, the Imo State chapter maintained that its candidates would contest on the PDP platform, while the Bauchi chapter denied the existence of a Rainbow Coalition arrangement in the state.
The positions reflect growing resistance among some party stakeholders to political arrangements that could weaken the PDP’s chances in the forthcoming elections.
Wike has consistently maintained that his support for Tinubu’s re-election does not prevent the PDP from fielding candidates in governorship, National Assembly and state assembly elections.
The minister has argued that his support for the President is a personal political decision and that members of different political parties can work together to secure Tinubu’s re-election without necessarily abandoning their respective parties.
However, the position has generated controversy among PDP members who believe that supporting the APC presidential candidate could conflict with the opposition party’s objective of providing an alternative in the 2027 elections.
The disagreement has also raised questions about the extent to which political alliances formed around the presidential election could influence contests at state and constituency levels.
The latest developments underline the challenges confronting the PDP as it prepares for the 2027 general elections.
While some political blocs have expressed support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition, other party stakeholders insist that the PDP must preserve its independence and protect the electoral interests of its candidates.
The distinction is significant because support for a presidential candidate does not automatically mean that a political party has abandoned its own candidates in other electoral contests.
The party’s internal disagreements are therefore likely to remain a major issue as political parties and their stakeholders negotiate alliances, mobilise supporters and prepare for the next general election.
Reloaded News will continue to monitor developments and report any further official clarification from the PDP leadership.
