The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has welcomed the publication of its presidential candidate by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing the move as a decisive step that ends months of uncertainty over the party’s participation in the 2027 general election.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, the PDP said INEC’s inclusion of Senator Sandy Onor as its presidential candidate, alongside Babangida Umar as vice-presidential candidate, confirms that the party has successfully completed its nomination process.
According to the party, the publication puts to rest persistent claims that internal disputes and legal challenges would prevent it from presenting candidates for the presidential election.
The statement said critics had spent months spreading what it described as misinformation aimed at discouraging supporters and creating doubts about the future of the PDP. It added that the latest development had vindicated the party’s leadership and demonstrated that due process had prevailed.
The Wike-backed PDP expressed gratitude to its members and supporters across Nigeria and in the diaspora for remaining loyal despite the prolonged internal crisis.
It also commended INEC, the judiciary and security agencies for upholding constitutional order and the rule of law throughout the nomination process.
The party renewed its appeal to aggrieved members to return to the fold, stressing that unity would be crucial to its ambition of reclaiming political power in 2027. It further welcomed recent defectors and returning members, saying their decision reflected growing confidence in the party’s leadership and direction.
The statement followed INEC’s release of the final list of presidential and National Assembly candidates for the 2027 general election.
The PDP has in recent months been embroiled in leadership disputes and court cases that raised concerns over its ability to meet the deadline for candidate nominations.
The latest development is also seen as a setback for the rival PDP faction led by former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Tanimu Turaki, which had adopted former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate.
Last week, the Turaki-led faction said it manually submitted its presidential candidate’s name to INEC after failing to obtain the electronic access code required for online submission.
