The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for the successful organisation of the political rally attended by President Bola Tinubu and members of the Rainbow Coalition in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The party described Saturday’s gathering at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium as historic, saying the impressive turnout demonstrated Wike’s political influence, organisational capacity and ability to mobilise support across party lines.
In a statement issued on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, the PDP said the event had reinforced the minister’s political relevance and offered a response to those who had questioned his influence.
The party maintained that political leadership should be assessed by the ability to organise, engage and deliver results rather than by public criticism or political commentary.
It urged those who had doubted Wike’s standing in the political space to reconsider their positions, describing the rally as evidence of his capacity to translate political commitments into action.
The PDP also reaffirmed its commitment to standing by the FCT minister, stressing that political differences should not undermine loyalty, mutual respect and constructive engagement in the collective interest of the country.
It further acknowledged Wike’s contributions to the party, insisting that his political relevance and place within the PDP remained important.
“We believe that political differences should not overshadow the importance of loyalty, mutual respect, constructive engagement and the collective interest of the nation,” the statement said.
The party congratulated Wike on what it described as a successful outing, adding that the large turnout was a fitting response to his critics and detractors.
President Tinubu attended the rally as part of efforts to mobilise support for his 2027 re-election bid. The gathering was organised by the Rainbow Coalition, led by Wike, and attracted political leaders and supporters from Rivers State and other parts of the country.
Among those present were Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, governors and other political stakeholders.
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, also pledged to mobilise three million votes for Tinubu, while affirming his participation in the Rainbow Coalition under Wike’s leadership.
Tinubu, in his address, commended the turnout and praised the reconciliation between Fubara and his predecessor, Wike, describing their decision to embrace peace as important to the stability of the state.
The PDP’s commendation comes amid the political controversy surrounding Wike’s support for Tinubu’s re-election despite remaining a member of the opposition party. The minister has repeatedly maintained that his support for the President does not mean the PDP cannot field candidates in other elections.
In October, Wike said the PDP’s national leadership and National Working Committee had agreed that party members should support Tinubu’s second-term ambition, although the party’s position on the issue has continued to attract political attention.
The latest statement underscores the PDP leadership’s effort to maintain its relationship with Wike despite his prominent role in mobilising support for the APC-led Federal Government’s presidential re-election campaign.
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