The Peoples Democratic Party is now divided between two competing factions, each claiming legitimacy after issuing separate certificates of return to their respective candidates for the 2027 general elections. One faction, led by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, held a meeting at Wadata Plaza in Abuja where it presented certificates to its presidential candidate, Sandy Onor, and several gubernatorial aspirants, including Bolakale Kawu for Kwara State and Isa Pantami for Gombe State. The other faction, led by former minister and Senior Advocate of Nigeria Tanimu Turaki, convened a parallel stakeholders' meeting in Abuja, declaring it had screened and confirmed 28 governorship candidates, 109 senatorial candidates, 360 House of Representatives candidates, and 993 State House of Assembly candidates. Turaki said the candidates underwent background checks and security verification to ensure credibility and avoid post-election disqualifications.
Wike, speaking at the PDP's 109th National Executive Committee meeting, urged party members to stop lamenting their loss of power and begin serious mobilisation to reclaim it. "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 expressed confidence that the Independent National Electoral Commission's upcoming release of access codes on June 26 would determine which faction INEC recognises. "Don't worry, we are good to go. Nobody is afraid. We will see who INEC will give the code to," he stated. Wike also demanded tangible electoral results from party leaders, warning that empty promises would no longer be tolerated. "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," he added.
PDP National Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed praised state leaders for conducting peaceful primaries and called for unity. Mao Ohuabunwa, chairman of the Board of Trustees, urged reconciliation and stronger grassroots mobilisation. Meanwhile, Turaki's faction claimed it conducted ward-level primaries nationwide. The group's National Organising Secretary, Theophilus Dakas-Shan, said former President Goodluck Jonathan had emerged as its presidential candidate despite opposition. "Despite all efforts to stop us from nominating him, we succeeded," he said. The faction promised engraved certificates to fully cleared candidates, while others would receive unembellished versions.
|||NAJABUZZ_TAKE||| Wike insists INEC's code release will settle the PDP leadership dispute, yet his faction issued certificates before that recognition is confirmed. Turaki's group simultaneously claims nationwide primaries were conducted and candidates cleared, creating two parallel party structures. Only one faction can be validated by INEC, leaving dozens of declared candidates without a clear path to the ballot. The certificates handed out by both sides may turn out to be meaningless if INEC rejects either group.
Two factions of the PDP each claim to be the real party, yet both are handing out the same certificates of return — how can one party have two faces and still expect the people to trust its leadership? If unity is the hallmark of a strong opposition, what does this public split say about their readiness to challenge for power in 2027? Nigerians are left wondering whether this is a battle for political relevance or just a well-orchestrated bid to keep the party's name alive while its soul is auctioned.
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