Nigerian Opposition Figures Back Tinubu for 2027, Sparking Loyalty Row
Prominent opposition politicians joining President Bola Tinubu's re-election campaign face questions over party loyalty and constitutional rules.
At a glance
- Minister Nyesom Wike, Governor Chukwuma Soludo, and Governor Ademola Adeleke are supporting President Bola Tinubu's 2027 re-election.
- The politicians belong to the PDP, APGA, and Accord Party respectively, all of which have constitutional rules against anti-party activities.
- Atiku Abubakar's aide Demola Olarewaju accused the ruling APC of using state intimidation against the opposition.
Several high-profile opposition figures have aligned with President Bola Tinubu's re-election campaign for the 2027 general election, creating tensions within their own political parties.
The cross-party alignments involve Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike of the PDP, Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo of APGA, and the governor of the Accord Party, Ademola Adeleke.
Party rules and the 2027 debate
The political choices of the three officials have drawn scrutiny from their respective platforms regarding internal discipline. The Peoples Democratic Party constitution states in Section 10(6) that members must not align with other parties to undermine the party. The PDP National Working Committee previously warned members against endorsing President Tinubu.
Similarly, the All Progressives Grand Alliance and Accord Party constitutions outline disciplinary measures for actions bringing the party into disrepute or engaging in anti-party activities. Despite these provisions, Wike, Soludo, and Adeleke have openly accepted roles coordinating Tinubu's campaign in their respective regions.
Accusations of intimidation from the opposition
In a separate reaction, Demola Olarewaju, Senior Political Assistant to opposition figures, accused President Tinubu of using ruling party governors to intimidate the opposition ahead of the 2027 vote. He alleged that the ruling party was scheming against campaign rallies in northern states and suppressing social media.
The reports did not include a direct response from the presidency or the All Progressives Congress addressing the specific claims of intimidation raised by the opposition aide.
What the cross-party alignments mean
The decisions by Wike, Soludo, and Adeleke highlight how political survival and personal alignment often test party discipline in Nigeria. While opposition constitutions clearly prohibit working with rival platforms, enforcing these rules against sitting governors and senior ministers risks fracturing the parties further. The situation demonstrates the fluid nature of political allegiances as actors position themselves ahead of the 2027 general election.
What to watch: Watch for formal disciplinary actions by the PDP, APGA, and Accord Party against the politicians supporting the president.
Reporting from: Vanguard, Daily Post. Spotted an error? Tell us.
- Nyesom Wike
- Chukwuma Soludo
- Ademola Adeleke
- Bola Tinubu
- PDP
- APGA
- Nigeria
- Politics