The internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) intensified on Wednesday as two opposing factions of the party separately issued certificates of return and nomination documents to their candidates for the 2027 general elections.
Both camps maintained that they represent the authentic leadership of the party and expressed confidence that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would eventually recognise their respective candidates.
The faction led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the Tanimu Turaki (SAN)-led Interim National Working Committee held separate events in Abuja, where they unveiled candidates and mobilised supporters ahead of the 2027 elections.
The parallel exercises took place less than 24 hours before INEC’s scheduled release of access codes to political parties for the submission of candidates’ names for elective positions.
Speaking at the PDP’s 109th National Executive Committee meeting held at Wadata Plaza, Wike urged party members to stop dwelling on past electoral losses and instead focus on regaining power through determination, organisation, and hard work.
According to him, political power is not handed over willingly but must be won through strategic efforts. He challenged governors, NEC members, and party candidates to contribute meaningfully to the party’s electoral success by securing victories at various levels rather than relying on others.
Wike also expressed confidence that INEC’s release of access codes would ultimately affirm the legitimacy of the leadership faction he supports.
“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 said.
Earlier, PDP National Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed praised state leaders for conducting peaceful primary elections and called on party members to remain united. The Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mao Ohuabunwa, also appealed for reconciliation and stronger grassroots mobilisation.
The faction later presented certificates of return to its presidential candidate for the 2027 election, Sandy Onor, alongside governorship aspirants and other candidates. Among those unveiled were Bolakale Kawu for Kwara State and Isa Pantami for Gombe State.
Meanwhile, at a separate stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, the Turaki-led faction announced that it had successfully produced candidates for all elective positions and would field contestants in every constituency nationwide.
Turaki disclosed that the faction had cleared 28 governorship candidates, 109 senatorial candidates, 360 House of Representatives candidates, and 993 State House of Assembly candidates following what he described as thorough screening and security verification processes.
He explained that the goal was not merely to participate in the elections but to present credible candidates capable of winning and avoiding post-election disqualifications.
Turaki stated that candidates who had completed the screening process would receive engraved certificates of return, while others whose documentation was submitted recently would also be issued certificates pending final engraving and lamination.
The faction’s National Organising Secretary, Theophilus Dakas-Shan, claimed that ward-level primaries had been successfully conducted across the country and that candidates had emerged for all categories of elections, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, whom he said was nominated as the party’s 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.
Speaking on behalf of the governorship candidates, Delta State governorship candidate Benedict Etanabene described the primary election process as transparent and orderly, commending the leadership of the faction for following due process.
The separate issuance of certificates by the rival camps highlights the PDP’s unresolved leadership battle and signals a likely struggle over legitimacy as the party moves closer to submitting its candidates for the 2027 general elections.
ADEOLA KUNLE
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