2027: Wike-Backed PDP Faction Fixes May 25 for Presidential Primary

2027: Wike-Backed PDP Faction Fixes May 25 for Presidential Primary

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has announced May 25 as the date for the election of its presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The decision was taken on Wednesday during a meeting of the faction’s National Executive Committee (NEC) held in Abuja.

According to a communiqué issued after the meeting, the group also approved a timetable for other party primaries, with elections into state assemblies slated for May 2, while primaries for the National Assembly and governorship positions will hold on May 9 and May 16 respectively.

The faction further directed that the party’s membership register be submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on or before April 10.

NEC members commended the national caretaker working committee led by Abdulrahman Mohammed for what they described as efforts to stabilise the party and manage its affairs during the ongoing transition period.

The meeting also expressed satisfaction with the conduct of ward and local government congresses across the country, noting that the upcoming state congresses scheduled for the weekend would be conducted in accordance with the party’s constitution.

As part of preparations for the party’s national convention scheduled for March 28 and 29, the NEC approved the conduct of zonal congresses within the next two weeks.

The faction also welcomed a recent ruling of the Court of Appeal in Abuja which nullified the PDP national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, 2025.

It called on aggrieved party leaders and stakeholders to pursue reconciliation through dialogue rather than further litigation at the Supreme Court.

Speaking at the meeting, Wike maintained that his camp remained firmly in control of the party’s structure and would only engage in negotiations from a position of strength.

He stressed that any reconciliation effort within the party must be genuine and based on clear proposals from those seeking peace.

The FCT minister also dismissed allegations that his participation in the administration of President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) makes him a mole within the opposition party.

According to him, individuals who previously accused him of working with the ruling party have since left the PDP.

Wike insisted that the PDP national convention would proceed as planned and rejected calls for the formation of another caretaker committee to appease dissatisfied members.

However, in his remarks, Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, who is aligned with another PDP bloc backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, urged party members to prioritise unity and the survival of the party over personal ambitions.

Moro said the PDP caucus in the National Assembly had been engaging different factions in an effort to foster reconciliation and restore cohesion within the party.

He called on party leaders to make necessary sacrifices to preserve the PDP as it prepares for the 2027 elections.