Ahead of 2027 general election, the caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in National Assembly has thrown their weight behind the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term of office.

The caucus commended Tinubu for his intervention in Rivers political crisis that led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara from office and other Democratic structures.

They believed that the intervention was swift and “has set the process of peace in motion, added that they “pray and hope to see a clear path to an enduring peace built on sincerity of purpose.”

The caucus which comprises two Senators and seven House of Representatives members are of the Peoples Democratic Party, urged anyone aspiring to contest 2027 presidency to drop ambition and support Tinubu to enable him complete his second tenure of office.

Speaking at a press conference in Port Harcourt over the weekend, Senator representing Rivers South East Senatorial District, Barry Mpigi, said their decision to support Tinubu who is of the All Progressives Congress, APC was borne out of the visible successes he has achieved.

They Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda remains “the surest path to Nigeria’s prosperity and progress.”

Lawmakers described Tinubu’s administration as “working and on course”, hailing his economic policies which they said was targeted at repositioning the nation’s struggling economy.

The statement reads: “We, extend our heartfelt gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his trust and confidence in our leader, His Excellency Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, following his appointment as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

We are gladdened by the President’s public acknowledgement and commendation of the exceptional performance of the Minister of FCT, whom he described as the ‘Master of Infrastructure.”

Speaking further, they said “Now, having carefully reviewed the President’s economic policies which are targeted at repositioning our once moribund economy through his Renewed Hope Agenda, and taking into account the massive rot and decadence he inherited on the 29th of May, 2023 including our unenviable debt profile and the terrible inflationary figures occasioned by the printing of N22.7 trillion by the Central Bank of Nigeria through Ways and Means overdraft for the Federal Government between 2015 and 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

“And the near-absence of critical infrastructure to support food production; we have come to the conclusion that the President’s economic plan is the surest way out of our country’s social and economic morass.

“Further, our assessment is firm that the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda is very much on track with already visible results and a credible basis that offers greater improvement in the economic wellbeing of Nigerians if given the necessary time.

“Still, we are convinced that the declining inflation figures, the substantial reduction in our foreign debt profile, and an IMF-backed promising growth figure all bode well for the economy in the years ahead.”

“We worked assiduously under the leadership of Nyesom Wike for the election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. And we were victorious in that assignment.

“As members of the National Assembly from Rivers State, we declare unequivocally our unconditional resolve to work again for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu come 2027.

“As legislators who are closest to the people, we shall begin the mother of all mobilizations of our people to repeat in greater measure what we did in 2023 in order to re-elect President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Finally, we call on all Nigerians to support the consolidation of the Renewed Hope Agenda as the surest panacea for the prosperity and progress of Nigeria. And, in this connection, we appeal to would-be presidential candidates, especially those with desperate and never-ending presidential ambitions, to jettison such ambition and rally round our dear President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) in 2027.”

The nine caucus members are Senator Barry Mpigi, Senator Allwell Onyesoh, Rt. Hon. Dumnamene Dekor, Solomon Bob, Hon. Felix Nwaeke, Hon. Kelechi Nwogu, Cyril Hart, Victor Obuzor, and Blessing Amadi.

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti has denied rumours making the round that he engaged in defection discussion with Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, saying his alleged plans to dump the Labour Party, LP for the All Progressives Congress was untrue.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, said, the rumour is baseless and unfounded as the governor has no reason to defect to another party.

“The report that His Excellency, Governor Alex Otti, held a meeting with Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State over his alleged planned defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), is false, baseless and unfounded. It’s completely devoid of substance and thus should be disregarded.”

According to him, Dr Otti and other colleagues joined Hope Uzodinma after the National Economic Council, NEC meeting presided by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima on Thursday, and they proceeded to attend the birthday celebration of his twin daughters, pointing out that the event has nothing to do with politics.

“It’s natural for Governor Otti’s impressive performance, popularity and towering credentials as the Governor of Abia State to attract admiration and permutations from interested parties, however, Governor Otti’s political decisions, especially those that would have huge impact and far-reaching consequences on Abians, would at all times be taken in conjunction with majority of Abians and his allies. Such decisions must be justified and be seen to be in the overriding interest of Abia people,” he added.

He further explained that Otti is currently focused on governance and not 2027 politics.

He said, “Governor Otti strongly holds the view that though political activities seem to have once again started gathering momentum, it would be unfair to the Abia electorate if politics of 2027, instead of governance, is allowed to dominate discussions less than two years into the administration.

Governor Otti remains a member of the Labour Party and is presently not planning or discussing with anyone to defect to the APC or any other party for that matter, as falsely alleged.”