The fight for leadership in the Peoples Democratic Party took a new turn on Wednesday. Two rival groups each presented certificates of return and nomination papers to their candidates for the 2027 elections.
Both groups claimed they are the real leaders of the party. They are sure the Independent National Electoral Commission will recognize their nominees.
The faction led by Tanimu Turaki and the group headed by Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory Minister, held separate events in Abuja. They introduced their candidates and rallied their supporters as the elections approach.
This happened just a day before the INEC was set to release access codes for political parties to upload names of candidates for elections.
At the PDP's 109th National Executive Committee meeting at Wadata Plaza, Wike urged party members to stop grieving over lost power. He asked them to work hard and get ready to regain 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," he said.
Wike challenged governors, committee members, and candidates to bring home electoral victories instead of waiting for others to act.
"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," he added.
He expressed confidence that the access codes from INEC would confirm the leadership his camp recognizes.
"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 praised state leaders for holding peaceful primaries. He urged members to stay united.
Mao Ohuabunwa, chairman of the Board of Trustees, called for unity and stronger grassroots efforts.
The leadership then gave certificates of return to its presidential candidate for 2027, Sandy Onor, along with governorship aspirants and other candidates.
The governorship candidates included Bolakale Kawu from Kwara State and Isa Pantami from Gombe State.
Meanwhile, the Turaki-led group held a stakeholders' meeting in Abuja. They announced they had successfully produced candidates for all elective positions and would contest every constituency in the 2027 elections.
Turaki revealed that they confirmed 28 governorship candidates, 109 senatorial candidates, 360 House of Representatives candidates, and 993 State House of Assembly candidates. He said this was after careful 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.
He added that the first set of fully cleared candidates would 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 explained.
The faction's National Organising Secretary, Theophilus Dakas-Shan, claimed they successfully conducted ward-based primaries nationwide. They also produced candidates for all levels of elections, including former President Goodluck Jonathan as their 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.
Delta State candidate Benedict Etanabene spoke for the governorship candidates. He praised the primaries as fair and orderly, commending the faction's leadership for following the right process.
The separate certificates from the rival groups highlight the ongoing leadership struggle in the PDP. This sets the stage for a new fight over legitimacy as the party prepares to submit candidates for the 2027 elections.
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