The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will begin preparations for the 2027 electioneering with crucial National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings.
Today, the PDP will commence the process that will culminate in its 101st NEC meeting on Friday.
The meeting, during which the date of its convention will be decided, will lead to the election of new national officers.
They will take the party through the primaries and the 2027 general election.
Between today and Friday, the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) and the Board of Trustees (BoT) will meet to resolve outstanding issues before the NEC meeting on Friday.
The party has been hit by the defection of prominent chieftains to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) – the coalition platform.
A critical challenge for the opposition party is to resolve the crisis arising from the position of the National Secretary.
Although the party had asked Senator Samuel Anyanwu to continue in the position in accordance with a court verdict, some party leaders have continued to kick.
However, a party source said the acrimony would be laid to rest during the national convention when a new leadership would emerge.
The APC caucus, which usually precedes the NEC meeting, will meet today to set the template for tomorrow’s NEC meeting.
Top on the agenda of the NEC will be the ratification of the National Chairman to replace the immediate past chairman, Dr. Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, who resigned voluntarily on June 27 on health grounds.
There is anxiety over the PDP NEC meeting following the collapse of trust and persistent suspicion after the defection.
There is also disquiet over the announcement by Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and key PDP leaders to work for the re-election of President Tinubu in 2027.
The governor explained that they took the decision “after weeks of consultations with stakeholders across the state — from traditional rulers and civil servants to market leaders and grassroots party members”.
