The leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party deepened on Wednesday as rival factions led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki (SAN), separately issued certificates of return and nomination documents to candidates for the 2027 general elections.
The parallel exercises took place in Abuja less than 24 hours before the Independent National Electoral Commission is expected to release access codes to political parties for uploading the names of their candidates, with each camp insisting it constitutes the legitimate leadership of the party.
At the party’s 109th National Executive Committee meeting at Wadata Plaza, Wike urged members to focus on regaining power rather than lamenting past electoral losses. He maintained that political power is won through organisation and mobilisation, challenging governors, NEC members and aspirants to secure electoral victories in their respective constituencies.
Wike also expressed confidence that the faction loyal to him would be recognised by the electoral commission when access codes are issued. The group later presented certificates of return to its presidential candidate, Sandy Onor, alongside governorship candidates, including Bolakale Kawu for Kwara State and Isa Pantami for Gombe State.
Meanwhile, the Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee held a separate stakeholders’ meeting where it announced that it had successfully produced candidates for all elective positions ahead of the 2027 polls. Turaki disclosed that the faction had cleared 28 governorship candidates, 109 senatorial aspirants, 360 House of Representatives candidates and 993 State House of Assembly candidates following screening and security checks.
According to Turaki, the faction introduced background investigations and vetting procedures to prevent post-election disqualifications and ensure only credible candidates emerged. He added that candidates who completed the process would receive engraved certificates of return, while others whose documentation was recently submitted would be issued temporary certificates.
The faction’s National Organising Secretary, Theophilus Dakas-Shan, claimed that ward congresses and primaries were successfully conducted nationwide and revealed that former President Goodluck Jonathan had emerged as its presidential candidate after purchasing nomination forms and completing the party’s internal processes.
The issuance of certificates by both camps highlights the unresolved leadership tussle within the PDP and is expected to trigger another battle over legitimacy as the party prepares to submit its candidates for the 2027 general elections.
