The leadership crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated on Wednesday as two rival factions separately presented certificates of return and nomination documents to their candidates for the 2027 general elections.
Each of the factions insisted that it was the party’s legitimate leadership and expressed confidence that the Independent National Electoral Commission would recognise its nominees.
The Tanimu Turaki (SAN)-led Interim National Working Committee and the faction led by Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, held parallel events in Abuja, where they unveiled candidates and rallied supporters ahead of the next general elections.
The development came barely 24 hours before INEC’s scheduled release of access codes to political parties for uploading the names of candidates contesting elective offices.
At the PDP’s 109th National Executive Committee meeting at Wadata Plaza, Wike urged party members to stop lamenting the loss of power and instead mobilise to reclaim it through hard work and organisation.
“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,” he said.
He challenged governors, National Executive Committee members and candidates to deliver electoral victories rather than rely on others.
“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,” Wike added.
Expressing confidence in the party’s position, he said the issuance of INEC access codes would ultimately validate the PDP leadership recognised by his camp.
“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.
Earlier, PDP National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, commended state leaders for conducting peaceful primaries and urged members to remain united.
The chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mao Ohuabunwa, called for reconciliation and stronger grassroots mobilisation.
The leadership subsequently presented certificates of return to its 2027 presidential candidate, Sandy Onor, alongside governorship aspirants and other candidates.
Among the governorship candidates were Bolakale Kawu of Kwara State and Isa Pantami for Gombe State.
Meanwhile, at a separate stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, the Turaki-led faction declared that it had successfully produced candidates for all elective offices and would contest every constituency in the 2027 elections.
Turaki said the party had confirmed 28 governorship candidates, 109 senatorial candidates, 360 House of Representatives candidates and 993 State House of Assembly candidates after what he described as rigorous screening and security checks.
“It is not just about contesting; it is about contesting to win. That is why we carefully and methodically examined every individual who presented themselves as a candidate under the platform of our party,” he said.
According to him, the faction introduced background investigations and security screenings to avoid post-election disqualifications and ensure credible representation.
“The first set of candidates who have been fully cleared will receive engraved certificates of return.
“Others whose documents we received only yesterday will also receive their certificates today, although theirs may not yet be engraved or laminated,” he added.
The faction’s National Organising Secretary, Theophilus Dakas-Shan, also claimed the party had successfully conducted ward-based primaries nationwide and produced candidates for all levels of elections, including former President Goodluck Jonathan as its 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 candidate, Benedict Etanabene, described the primaries as transparent and orderly, praising the faction’s leadership for adhering to due process.
The parallel issuance of certificates by the rival camps underscores the PDP’s lingering leadership dispute and sets the stage for a fresh contest over legitimacy as the party prepares to submit its candidates for the 2027 general elections.
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