The internal fractures paralyzing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) worsened on Wednesday following parallel ceremonies in Abuja, where opposing camps issued conflicting certificates of return to rival sets of candidates for the 2027 general elections.
The competing factions are led by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and former Minister Tanimu Turaki (SAN).
Each group asserts authentic control over the opposition party and maintains that its specific nominees will ultimately receive official recognition from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The showdown erupted on the eve of a critical electoral deadline, occurring less than 24 hours before INEC’s scheduled release of portal access codes, which political parties require to upload candidate names for the 2027 polls.
Amid the tension, Wike addressed the PDP’s 109th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting at Wadata Plaza in Abuja.
He admonished governors, party stalwarts, and candidates to cease mourning their loss of federal power and instead launch an aggressive nationwide mobilization strategy to win it back.
“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 said.
He charged party members to deliver real electoral results, warning that the PDP could no longer afford empty political promises.
“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 also expressed confidence that INEC’s release of access codes would settle the question of which leadership is recognised.
“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.
At the meeting, PDP National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, praised state leaders for what he described as peaceful primaries and urged members to remain united.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mao Ohuabunwa, also called for reconciliation and stronger grassroots mobilisation as the party battles to steady itself ahead of the next general elections.
The Wike-backed leadership later presented certificates of return to its 2027 presidential candidate, Sandy Onor, alongside governorship and legislative candidates.
Among the governorship candidates presented were Bolakale Kawu for Kwara State and Isa Pantami for Gombe State.
But in a separate stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, the Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee also unveiled its own candidates, insisting that it had produced nominees for all elective offices across the country.
Turaki said the faction had confirmed 28 governorship candidates, 109 senatorial candidates, 360 House of Representatives candidates and 993 State House of Assembly candidates.
He said the candidates emerged after what he called a rigorous screening process, including background checks and security verification.
“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,” Turaki said.
According to him, the faction adopted the screening process to avoid post-election disqualifications and ensure that only credible candidates fly the party’s flag.
“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, said the Turaki camp had conducted ward-based primaries nationwide and produced candidates for all levels of elections.
He also claimed that former President Goodluck Jonathan had emerged as the faction’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 for the governorship candidates, Delta State nominee Benedict Etanabene praised the primaries as transparent, orderly, and strictly aligned with due process.
However, the duel over certificates plunges the PDP into a fierce legitimacy battle.
Both factions are now locked in a tense waiting game to see which lineup INEC will officially accept for the 2027 elections.
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