Wike-backed PDP faction uploads 2027 presidential, NASS candidates to INEC portal

A faction of Nigeria's Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has successfully uploaded the names of its presidential candidate, Sandy Onor, and his running mate, Babangida Umaru, to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) candidate nomination portal.

The faction also submitted the names of its National Assembly candidates for the 2027 general elections. The faction's National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, announced the development, stating, "I am pleased to inform all PDP members and Nigerians that our great party, under my leadership, has successfully uploaded the names of our presidential candidate, his running mate, and our National Assembly candidates onto the INEC Candidate Nomination Portal."

This development is particularly noteworthy because access to the INEC portal is often seen as a practical indicator of which faction the electoral commission officially recognizes for administrative purposes. Political parties use this portal to submit candidate particulars, making it a critical step in the electoral process. The upload signifies the PDP's intention to participate in the 2027 elections under Wike's faction's leadership.

The move comes amidst a protracted leadership crisis within the PDP, which has resulted in the party being divided into rival camps. Besides the Wike-backed faction, another group is led by former Minister Kabiru Turaki. Both factions claim ownership of the party's national structure, assets, and authority to nominate candidates. The Turaki-led faction had previously nominated former President Goodluck Jonathan as its candidate, although Jonathan has not publicly confirmed this nomination. Wike himself has publicly stated that the PDP has no chance of winning the 2027 presidential election unless it rebuilds its internal structures and resolves its ongoing crises. He is also a member of the opposition PDP but serves in the administration of President Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), having pledged support for Tinubu's re-election bid.

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I am pleased to inform all PDP members and Nigerians that our great party, under my leadership, has successfully uploaded the names of our presidential candidate, his running mate, and our National Assembly candidates onto the INEC Candidate Nomination Portal.