Wike's PDP Group Submits Candidates for 2027 Elections

A group in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supported by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has 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.

This group also uploaded the names of its National Assembly candidates for the 2027 elections.

The group’s National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, shared this news in a statement on Sunday.

“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,” he said.

This news comes just days after Mr Wike, the leader of the group, said publicly that the PDP will not win the 2027 presidential election unless it fixes its internal issues and rebuilds its structures.

Wike is part of the opposition PDP but is serving in the government of President Bola Tinubu from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He has often said he will support Mr Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

Uploading candidates’ names to INEC’s portal is important. It shows which group the electoral commission recognizes for official matters. Political parties use the portal to submit details of their candidates for elections, making it a key step in the electoral process.

This upload happens during a long leadership crisis in the PDP, which has split the party into different groups ahead of the 2027 elections.

Besides Wike's group, there is another faction led by Kabiru Turaki, a former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs. Both groups claim rights to the party’s national structure, resources, and the power to nominate candidates. The Turaki-led faction has named former President Goodluck Jonathan as its candidate, but Jonathan has not confirmed his nomination publicly.

Mr Mohammed stated that the successful upload of the party’s candidates shows that the PDP will take part in the 2027 elections.

He mentioned that this development shows the party’s promise to Nigerians to remain in the race.

“This is a clear demonstration of our commitment to the promise we made that, under my leadership, the PDP will fully participate in the 2027 General Elections. Today, we have taken another decisive step towards fulfilling that promise.

“As we await the conclusion of the upload of our Governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates, I, on behalf of the National Working Committee of our party, extend my heartfelt congratulations to all PDP members across Nigeria and around the world. Together, we will continue to build a stronger, more united party and a better future for our nation,” he said.