The PDP power escalated yet again on Wednesday as the two rival factions separately presented certificates of return and nomination documents to their candidates for the 2027 general elections.
Despite the crisis and court order, both factions have insisted that it is the party’s legitimate leadership , also expressed optimism that the Independent National Electoral Commission would recognise its nominees.
The Tanimu Turaki (SAN)-led Interim National Working Committee and the faction loyal to by FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, held parallel events in Abuja, where they unveiled candidates and rallied supporters ahead of the next general elections.
The development comes less than 24 hours before INEC’s scheduled release of access codes to political parties for uploading the names of candidates contesting elective offices.
During the PDP’s 109th National Executive Committee meeting at Wadata Plaza, Wike called on party members to stop bemoaning their loss of power and instead organise and fight hard to regain it.
Rather than relying on others, he urged candidates, governors, and members of the National Executive Committee to work toward winning elections.
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Furthermore, he expressed confidence in his faction’s position, insisting that the release of INEC access codes would ultimately validate the PDP leadership recognised by his camp.
He stated, “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.”
PDP Power Crisis- Brief Background
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has since been immersed a deep internal crisis since the aftermath of the 2023 general election. The division largely stems from the fallout between former Rivers State governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the party’s mainstream leadership.
Recall that the crisis began when Wike and four other governors, popularly known as the G5, opposed the presidential candidacy of Atiku Abubakar, demanding that then National Chairman Iyorchia Ayu resign to ensure regional balance within the party. The disagreement weakened the PDP’s campaign and contributed to lingering distrust among key stakeholders.
Since then, rival factions have emerged within the party. While the Wike camp continues to wield significant influence through loyal governors and party officials, another bloc led by prominent PDP figures, including Kabiru Tanimu Turaki and other party stakeholders, has pushed for a restructuring of the party ahead of 2027.
Subsequently, this has led to a number of prominent figures and governors elected under the party to exit with many citing the party’s internal issues as the sole reason.
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Backstory…
Meanwhile this comes barely 24 hours after the factional chairman, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki confidently affirmed the party’s readiness for the 2027 general election adding that the PDP will contest the elections in every constituency where elections will be held.
The factional chair stated this on Wednesday in Abuja while speaking at a ceremony to hand over certificates of return to the party’s candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
He said, “This is the first of such meetings that we are having since our selection and inauguration as members of the Interim National Working Committee of this great party of ours.
