Fresh cracks within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) widened on Thursday as the faction backed by Nyesom Wike commenced the screening of presidential, governorship and national assembly aspirants ahead of the 2027 general election, underscoring the deepening leadership tussle within Nigeria’s main opposition party.
The exercise, coordinated by the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led National Working Committee (NWC), began at the PDP National Secretariat Annex, Legacy House, Maitama, Abuja, amid competing claims to the party structure by rival factions.
In a statement issued by Chinwe Nnorom, national director of publicity, on behalf of Jungudo Mohammed, the faction’s national publicity secretary, the party said governorship aspirants were screened at noon, while presidential aspirants appeared before the panel by 2 pm on Thursday.
The development comes as multiple blocs within the PDP continue to jostle for control of the party machinery ahead of the 2027 polls, with parallel meetings, alliances and consultations intensifying across the country.
According to the statement, the presidential screening committee is chaired by Okezie Ikpeazu, while Hassan Sokodobo serves as secretary. Other members include former senators George Sekibo and Zainab Kure, alongside other party stakeholders.
The governorship screening committee is headed by Ahmed Makarfi, with George Ariolu serving as secretary. Members of the panel include Ibrahim Umar, Aisha Madawaki and Tajudeen Yusuf.
Meanwhile, several aspirants across the states confirmed their participation in the screening exercise, describing the process as a key step towards the party primaries.
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan said she had completed her screening for the Kogi Central senatorial election.
Speaking after the exercise in Lokoja, the senator said she arrived fully prepared with all required credentials and supporting documents.
“I am pleased to have successfully completed the screening exercise as part of the process ahead of the party primaries for the 2027 Kogi Central Senatorial Election under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party,” she said.
Akpoti-Uduaghan added that the exercise reaffirmed her commitment to quality representation and service delivery to her constituents.
Similarly, Muhammed Abdullahi, popularly known as “Elephant”, announced that he had been screened and cleared to participate in the PDP primary election for the Kogi East senatorial district.
In Cross River State, the party screened 45 aspirants seeking tickets for national and state assembly seats ahead of the May 21 primaries. The exercise was conducted by a five-man panel chaired by Fred Osim.
Among those screened was Alex Egbona, who recently defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress to the PDP.
In a related development, the rival PDP faction led by Kabiru Turaki said it had allied with the Allied Peoples Movement as opposition groups intensify coalition talks ahead of the next general election.
Ini Ememobong, spokesperson of the Turaki faction, said the alliance emerged from resolutions reached during the All Opposition Political Party Leaders Summit held in Ibadan, Oyo State, in April.
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