Party’s Leadership Crisis Deepens Just Days Before INEC Candidate Submission Deadline
The Peoples Democratic Party’s internal conflict intensified on Wednesday as two opposing factions held parallel ceremonies in Abuja, each issuing certificates of return to their respective candidates for the 2027 general elections. Both groups assert they represent the party’s legitimate leadership and maintain confidence that the Independent National Electoral Commission will recognize their nominated candidates.
Wike-Led Faction Calls for Action Over Lamentation
At the PDP’s 109th National Executive Committee meeting at Wadata Plaza, Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike urged party members to abandon complaints about past electoral losses and focus on strategic mobilization.
“Nobody gives power. Power is taken. If you do not do so, that is your business. You must fight for it to take it. Nobody is ready to dash you power,” Wike declared.
He challenged governors, NEC members, and candidates to deliver tangible electoral victories. “If you bring a House of Representatives seat, you have done something. If you bring an Assembly member, you have done something. But don’t come here empty-handed. This is not a place for empty hands,” he added.
Wike expressed confidence that the upcoming INEC access code release would validate his faction’s leadership position. “As far as I am concerned, June 26 is when they will give access codes to political parties to upload results. Don’t worry, we are good to go. Nobody is afraid. We will see who INEC will give the code to,” he stated.
Faction Presents Candidates Across All Levels
The Wike-aligned leadership, under National Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed, presented certificates to its presidential candidate Sandy Onor, alongside various governorship aspirants including Bolakale Kawu (Kwara State) and Isa Pantami (Gombe State).
Turaki-Led Faction Claims Extensive Candidate List
Meanwhile, the faction led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN) held a separate stakeholders’ meeting where they announced having produced candidates for every elective position nationwide. Turaki reported 28 governorship candidates, 109 senatorial candidates, 360 House of Representatives candidates, and 993 State House of Assembly candidates following rigorous screening procedures.
“We carefully and methodically examined every individual who presented themselves as a candidate under the platform of our party,” Turaki explained, noting the introduction of background investigations and security screenings to prevent post-election disqualifications.
The faction’s National Organising Secretary, Theophilus Dakas-Shan, further claimed that former President Goodluck Jonathan emerged as their presidential candidate. “We have a presidential candidate who bought the forms, signed them and was duly nominated the other day. Despite all efforts to stop us from nominating him, we succeeded,” he said.
Party Leaders Call for Reconciliation
PDP Board of Trustees Chairman Mao Ohuabunwa urged reconciliation and stronger grassroots mobilization during the Wike-led faction’s gathering.
Delta State governorship candidate Benedict Etanabene, speaking on behalf of the Turaki faction’s candidates, praised the transparency of their primary process.
The parallel events, occurring just before INEC’s scheduled release of access codes for candidate list uploads, highlight the deepening leadership dispute within the PDP and set the stage for a potentially contentious legitimacy battle as the party approaches the 2027 elections.
