The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Abubakar Abdullahi, has endorsed President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.

Mr Abdullahi also declared his support for the Rainbow Coalition, a political group led by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

He made the declaration on Sunday in Sokoto during a stakeholders’ meeting, where he outlined the PDP’s position on the proposed alliance.

The politician said the arrangement would mobilise support for Mr Tinubu’s second-term ambition while allowing PDP members to retain their political structures and candidates.

Mr Abdullahi described the coalition as a strategic platform for cooperation between interested PDP stakeholders and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“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.

He insisted that the arrangement would not compel the PDP to abandon its candidates contesting elective positions across Sokoto State.

“We are not abandoning our party structure or our candidates,” he said. “We will continue to mobilise, canvass and campaign aggressively for PDP candidates seeking elective positions across Sokoto State in 2027.”

However, he disclosed that PDP members could support APC candidates in constituencies where their party’s candidates lacked sufficient electoral 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,” Mr Abdullahi stated.

He said the proposed alliance was intended to unite political interests and strengthen cooperation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Mr Abdullahi added that the coalition remained open to political parties, organisations and individuals willing to embrace its objectives, irrespective of their affiliations.

“The Rainbow Coalition is open to everybody, political groups, organisations and individuals who share our vision,” he said.

He also appealed to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to reconsider his presidential ambition and join the emerging political alliance.

“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.

The PDP candidate further cited a reported donation of vehicles by Mr Abubakar’s son in support of Mr Tinubu’s re-election campaign.

He described the gesture as an indication of support for the president’s ambition within Mr Abubakar’s immediate family.

Mr Abdullahi urged political leaders to prioritise collective interests and broader consultations over partisan disagreements.

(NAN)