A coalition of youth support networks under the platform of the PDP Youth Vanguard for Renewed Hope has urged the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to refrain from vilifying the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, as such practice could alienate more young people from the party.
The coalition added that the party should rather listen to him, since he has his finger on the pulse of the people, especially young Nigerians.
The groups made the call on Monday in a statement signed by the National President, Hon. Charles Onoja, following Wike’s declaration on live television to lead President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaigns in Rivers State.
Onoja explained that while Wike may be misunderstood by some within his party, millions of young Nigerians see in him a leader who is pragmatic and patriotic, adding that the minister’s courage and sincerity have made many young PDP members across the country resolve to campaign vigorously for Tinubu’s second term.
His words, “Rather than vilify Wike, the PDP should listen to him. He has his finger on the pulse of the people, especially young Nigerians. His decision to back Tinubu is in line with the aspiration of millions who want Nigeria to rise above the same old politics.
“We want to be on the side of truth, performance, and stability. Wike has shown us that it is possible to stay loyal to your values and still support a government that works. Tinubu has earned our respect. Come 2027, we will speak with our PVCs.”
“This is not about crossing over to the APC. It is about crossing over to the truth. The reality is that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has outperformed expectations in infrastructure, education, particularly the student loan scheme and job creation, aviation sector reforms, and more. Young Nigerians, particularly in the North, are tired of PDP’s propaganda. We want sound leadership, and that is what President Tinubu has provided in the past two years,” Onoja added.
Onoja said Wike’s decision to back Tinubu, despite remaining a card-carrying member of the PDP, shows that Nigeria’s unity and future development now matter more than party affiliations.
The coalition noted that the country is experiencing a political rebirth where competence and patriotism should take precedence over partisanship.
Onoja also disclosed that the coalition has begun grassroots mobilisation across the six geopolitical zones to ensure massive support for Tinubu in the next election, adding that their structures are active in the 774 local government areas.
“We are organising town halls, campus engagements, digital campaigns, community meetings, church and mosque-to-mosque sensitisation efforts. We want to make a clear statement that Nigeria’s youth are not blind to results. We support Tinubu because he delivers,” he declared.