RismadarVoice Reporters
October 22, 2026
Former Nasarawa State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Yusuf Shehu Usman, has questioned the political implications of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike’s call for members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to support President Bola Tinubu and candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
Usman expressed concern on Thursday over the proposed cross-party arrangement, arguing that it could weaken the opposition party’s electoral interests without providing corresponding political benefits.
His reaction followed reports that Wike urged PDP members in the Federal Capital Territory to support Tinubu’s re-election bid and certain APC candidates during a political stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja.
The former attorney general questioned whether the ruling APC would reciprocate such support by backing PDP candidates in other elections.
He argued that encouraging opposition members to support the ruling party at the presidential level, without clear agreements concerning other electoral contests, raised questions about the benefits to the PDP.
Usman described the proposed arrangement as politically questionable, particularly at a time when the PDP is expected to compete against APC candidates in governorship, legislative and other elections.
He maintained that political cooperation should produce identifiable benefits for the parties involved rather than undermine their electoral objectives.
The former commissioner also expressed doubt over the sustainability of the arrangement, describing it as an unusual political strategy whose advantages had not been adequately explained.
Wike, a former Rivers State governor and prominent PDP figure serving in Tinubu’s administration, has repeatedly defended his decision to support the President’s second-term ambition.
The FCT minister has promoted a political alliance known as the Rainbow Coalition, which brings together supporters of Tinubu from different political parties.
He has maintained that political cooperation across party lines does not necessarily require politicians to abandon their existing party affiliations.
However, the arrangement has generated disagreements within the PDP, with some members supporting Wike’s position while others insist that the opposition party should present an alternative to the APC in 2027.
The faction of the PDP led by Tanimu Turaki recently rejected support for Tinubu’s re-election, maintaining that opposition parties should prioritise their independent political platforms.
Meanwhile, Wike has continued to insist that his political activities are aimed at mobilising support for Tinubu while allowing participants to maintain their respective party identities.
Usman’s remarks add to the debate over cross-party alliances, political loyalty and the future of opposition cooperation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
