During a meeting with PDP stakeholders in Katsina State on July 7, 2024, Dr. Mustapha Muhammad Inuwa, who was the campaign director for Atiku/Lado in the 2023 presidential and governorship elections, confirmed what was already known: Samuel Ortom, the former governor of Benue State, and Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, the Nigerian minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), have stated that they will not be supporting a presidential candidate in the 2027 election, but they have endorsed Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the current president of Nigeria.
Their goal was not to win the election, but rather to undermine the PDP in preparation for President Tinubu's reelection in 2027. Dr. Mustapha Muhammad Inuwa, who was the campaign director for Atiku/Lado in Katsina State during the 2023 presidential and gubernatorial elections, had previously stated, "It is a common knowledge that both Wike and Ortom have declared that they have no presidential candidate to support in the 2027 elections, but they endorsed President Tinubu," quoted by Daily Trust.
They are utilising stooges in the state to accomplish their goal of undermining the PDP in preparation for the 2027 election, which will benefit President Tinubu. Their primary objective was not to win the election, but rather to destroy the party. Conversely, Senator Umar Ibrahim Tsauri, a former PDP national secretary, has pledged to do all in his power to save the party in Katsina State in time for the forthcoming congresses, which will be crucial to the growth and success of the party nationally.