By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, aligned with Nyesom Wike has commenced the screening of aspirants seeking to contest for presidential, governorship and national assembly positions ahead of the 2027 general election.
The exercise, according to a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, is being supervised by the faction’s national working committee (NWC) under the leadership of Abdulrahman Mohammed.
READ ALSO:Makinde Declares for 2027 Presidential Race in Ibadan
The statement, signed by Chinwe Nnorom, the national director of publicity, on behalf of Jungudo Mohammed, the national publicity secretary, said the screening marks a major step in preparations for the party’s internal primaries as political activities gradually intensify across the country ahead of the next general elections.
According to the statement, governorship aspirants were scheduled for screening at noon on Thursday at the PDP National Secretariat Annex, Legacy House, Maitama, Abuja, while presidential aspirants were expected to appear before the screening panel at 2 p.m. at the same venue.
The party disclosed that the presidential screening committee is chaired by former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, with Hassan Sokodobo serving as secretary.
READ ALSO:Ajadi Congratulates Arowosaye on Appointment as Pacesetter Minerals Chairman, Celebrates Birthday
Other members of the committee include former senators George Sekibo and Zainab Kure, as well as other senior stakeholders within the party.
For the governorship screening, the party said the committee is chaired by former Kaduna State Governor Ahmed Makarfi, while George Ariolu serves as secretary. Other members listed include Ibrahim Umar, Aisha Madawaki and Tajudeen Yusuf.
In Kogi State, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan confirmed that she had successfully completed the screening process for aspirants contesting elective offices under the PDP platform.
Speaking after the exercise in Lokoja, the senator said she attended the screening with all necessary credentials and documents.
She said the successful completion of the process reinforces her commitment to effective representation and sustained service to the people of Kogi Central.
“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.
READ ALSO:Seyi Makinde Predicts Nigerians Will Shock Politicians in 2027
Also speaking, 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.
He said he presented all required documents and was officially certified to proceed to the party’s primary election.
In Cross River State, the party said no fewer than 45 aspirants for national assembly and state assembly positions were screened ahead of its May 21 primaries.
The exercise in the state was conducted by a five-member panel led by Fred Osim.
Among those screened was Alex Egbona, a serving member of the House of Representatives who recently defected from the All Progressives Congress to the PDP.
The development comes amid continued internal divisions within the opposition party, as another faction of the PDP led by Kabiru Turaki announced that it had entered into an alliance with the Allied Peoples Movement.
Efforts by The Merit Newspaper to speak with Ini Ememobong, spokesperson of the Turaki-led PDP faction, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
The parallel activities by the rival factions underscore the lingering leadership crisis within the PDP, a development political observers say could shape the party’s preparations and internal dynamics as the 2027 elections draw closer.
