The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, and Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, have come under scrutiny over their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign despite belonging to different opposition political parties.

Their political alignment with the President has generated questions about party loyalty, political discipline and the ability of opposition parties to maintain a united front ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The three politicians belong to different political platforms, with Wike affiliated with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Soludo belonging to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and Adeleke elected on the platform of the Accord Party.

Their involvement in Tinubu’s re-election campaign has triggered debate over whether politicians can retain membership of opposition parties while actively supporting the electoral ambitions of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The constitutions of the affected political parties contain provisions outlining conduct that could constitute anti-party activities and the disciplinary measures applicable to members found guilty of such offences.

Section 10(6) of the PDP Constitution prohibits members from aligning with other political parties or groups in ways that undermine the party or its elected governments.

The provision formed part of the basis for the party’s August 2025 warning against members publicly endorsing Tinubu’s 2027 re-election ambition.

Similarly, Article 21 of the APGA Constitution outlines disciplinary measures against members whose conduct brings the party into disrepute or ridicule.

The party’s Anambra State chapter had also previously cautioned members against campaigning for candidates of other political parties or soliciting votes on their behalf.

Under the Accord Party Constitution, Article 20(A)(vi) identifies participation in anti-party activities as an offence, while Article 14(3) provides for the dismissal of members found guilty of such conduct.

Wike has consistently maintained his support for Tinubu despite remaining a member of the PDP. He has described the emerging political arrangement as a National Rainbow Coalition involving politicians from different political platforms.

On October 14, 2026, he attended the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, where he reaffirmed his support for the President.

He was subsequently appointed coordinator of Tinubu’s presidential campaign in Rivers State and the FCT.

Soludo also attended the inauguration, where he declared that APGA would not field a presidential candidate in 2027, expressing support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition.

He described the President as his friend and said he deserved another term in office. Soludo was subsequently appointed campaign coordinator in Anambra State.

Adeleke equally declared support for Tinubu’s re-election during the October 14 event, pledging to mobilise voters for the President’s return to Aso Rock in 2027.

He was appointed coordinator of the presidential campaign in Osun State.

When contacted over the development, representatives of the affected political parties presented arguments defending the politicians while maintaining that their respective parties retained their identities and political interests.

PDP spokesperson Jungudo Haruna Mohammed said Wike had the constitutional and democratic right to decide whom he supported politically.

He explained that the minister’s involvement in Tinubu’s administration and campaign activities had previously received the blessing of the PDP leadership under former National Chairman Umar Damagum.

He maintained that Wike’s participation in the presidential campaign council did not make him a member of the APC National Working Committee.

Similarly, APGA National Chairman, Sly Ezeokenwa, described Soludo’s political alignment with Tinubu as a strategic decision taken by the party’s National Working Committee rather than an individual initiative by the governor.

He explained that the party had agreed to maintain cooperation with the APC and support Tinubu as its preferred presidential candidate.

The Ogun State Chairman of the Accord Party, Michael Oke, said the party’s national leadership only learnt about Adeleke’s reported appointment through media reports.

He cautioned against reaching conclusions before the party had examined the circumstances and heard from the individuals involved.

Oke referenced Articles 13, 14 and 20 of the party’s constitution, noting that they address members’ obligations and disciplinary procedures relating to misconduct and anti-party activities.

Meanwhile, a chieftain of the Accord Party and member representing Ede South/Ede North/Ejigbo/Egbedore Federal Constituency, Bamidele Salam, welcomed Adeleke’s appointment, describing it as a positive development.

The Imole Campaign Council (TICC) also pledged to mobilise 1.5 million votes for Tinubu in Osun State.

Its Director-General, Olalere Oyewumi, described Adeleke’s appointment as well deserved and promised that the Accord Party’s structures in the state would support the President’s re-election.

A PDP chieftain, Chief Emmanuel Ogidi, criticised Wike’s continued involvement in Tinubu’s political activities while retaining his membership of the opposition party.

Ogidi argued that the minister’s position raised questions about his loyalty to the PDP, accusing the APC of using him to weaken the opposition.

He insisted that political leaders should not maintain conflicting allegiances that could undermine their parties.

Some civil society organisations also criticised the development, arguing that the politicians’ involvement in another party’s presidential campaign amounted to anti-party activities deserving disciplinary action.

The Country Lead of the Society for Promotion of Democratic Values and Ethos, Dr Fredrick Manaseh, said the situation had weakened political party development and democratic values.

He argued that political parties should enforce their constitutions and hold influential members accountable for actions that conflict with their established rules.

Similarly, the Executive Director of the Centre for Accountability and Good Governance, Professor Usman Monde, faulted political parties for failing to consistently enforce their constitutional provisions.

He maintained that party rules should apply equally to ordinary members and prominent political figures, warning that selective enforcement could undermine internal democracy.

Monde argued that when opposition politicians openly support the presidential candidate of the ruling party, their parties must clarify whether such actions are consistent with their political objectives and internal decisions.

He added that political parties could only strengthen public confidence through internal discipline, accountability and respect for their constitutions.