By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
A fresh twist has emerged in the internal dynamics of Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as former Cross River State governorship candidate, Sandy Onor, moves to purchase the party’s presidential nomination form at its National Secretariat in Abuja.
Onor, widely regarded as an ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is poised to become the first aspirant to formally declare interest in the PDP’s 2027 presidential race through the acquisition of nomination forms—an early move that is already stirring political interpretations within the party.
His action, though procedural, is being closely watched by party stakeholders and analysts who see it as more than a routine step in the electoral process. For many, it signals the growing assertiveness of a faction believed to be aligned with Wike, whose influence within the PDP has remained a subject of intense debate since the fallout from the 2023 general elections.
A Party Still in Contest
The PDP has continued to grapple with internal leadership questions, particularly over who controls its national structure. While some party interpreters argue that the Board of Trustees (BoT) holds moral authority as the conscience of the party, others insist that the National Working Committee (NWC) remains the constitutionally empowered administrative organ.
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Amid this backdrop, Onor’s move is being interpreted in some quarters as a subtle endorsement of a faction perceived to be gaining operational control within the party’s hierarchy.
However, party insiders caution against drawing sweeping conclusions.
“Buying a nomination form is an individual political decision. It does not, in itself, validate any leadership claim,” a senior PDP source told The Merit Newspaper on condition of anonymity.
Wike’s Expanding Influence?
Since his appointment as FCT Minister under President Bola Tinubu, Wike has remained a central—and controversial—figure in PDP politics. Despite being a member of the opposition party, his working relationship with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration has deepened internal divisions within the PDP.
Observers note that figures associated with Wike’s political network have continued to assert their presence in party affairs, raising questions about the balance of power ahead of 2027.
Leadership Question Still Open
The Merit Newspaper reports that the issue of who serves as the authentic national chairman of the PDP has yet to be conclusively resolved in the court of public opinion or within all party organs. While names such as Abdulrahman Muhammad have surfaced in factional narratives, there is no universally accepted position across the party’s structure.
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Political analysts warn that premature conclusions could further complicate reconciliation efforts within the PDP.
Looking Ahead
As the countdown to the 2027 general election gradually begins, early moves like Onor’s are expected to shape the contours of intra-party alignments and power negotiations.
For now, his decision to pick up the presidential nomination form stands as an opening chapter in what is likely to be a prolonged contest—not just for the PDP’s presidential ticket, but for the soul of the party itself.
