The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Abubakar Abdullahi, has declared support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 through the Rainbow Coalition associated with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Abdullahi made the declaration on Sunday during a stakeholders’ meeting in Sokoto, where he outlined the proposed alliance’s political direction.
He said the coalition would mobilise support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition while allowing PDP members to retain their party structures and candidates in the state.
Describing the arrangement as a platform for cooperation between interested PDP stakeholders and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi said it would not require the opposition party to abandon its candidates in the 2027 elections.
“Our position is to work toward President Tinubu’s second-term ambition through the Rainbow Coalition, which we consider a strategic political platform for cooperation,” he said.
“We are not abandoning our party structure or our candidates.
“We will continue to mobilise, canvass and campaign aggressively for PDP candidates seeking elective positions across Sokoto State in 2027,” he added.
However, he said PDP members could support APC candidates in constituencies where the party’s candidates lacked sufficient electoral strength or support.
“Where our candidates may not have the necessary electoral strength or sufficient support, our members and supporters could be encouraged to support APC candidates,” he said.
Abdullahi said the proposed alliance was aimed at uniting political interests and strengthening cooperation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He added that the coalition was open to political parties, organisations and individuals willing to support its objectives, regardless of their affiliations.
“The Rainbow Coalition is open to everybody, political groups, organisations and individuals who share our vision,” he said.
The PDP candidate also appealed to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to reconsider his presidential ambition and join the alliance rather than pursue an opposition agenda against Tinubu’s re-election.
“I want to appeal to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to reconsider his position and join this emerging political understanding rather than pursue an opposition agenda against President Tinubu’s second-term ambition,” he said.
Abdullahi also referred to a reported donation of vehicles by Atiku’s son in support of Tinubu’s re-election campaign, describing it as a sign of support for the President within the former vice-president’s immediate family.
He urged political leaders to prioritise collective interests and broader consultations over partisan disagreements.
