Nyesom Wike Leads PDP Amid Parallel Candidate Certifications and 2027 Election Push

Nigeria's Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is in a deepening leadership crisis as two rival factions, one led by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and the other by former minister Tanimu Turaki, have each held separate ceremonies in Abuja and issued parallel Certificates of Return for candidates contesting the 2027 general elections. Both camps claim legitimate control of the party and say the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will ultimately decide which set of nominees is recognised when it releases access codes on June 26. At the PDP’s 109th National Executive Committee meeting, Wike warned members that “power is taken, not given,” urging them to organise, bring tangible results and avoid “empty‑handed” candidacies. He called on governors, legislators and aspirants to fight for the party’s return to power in 2027. The Turaki‑led faction presented its own slate, claiming it had screened thousands of candidates for all elective offices. Parallel presentations of Certificates of Return also occurred in Benue State, where both factions announced different governorship candidates. PDP National Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed appealed for unity and praised peaceful primaries, while the party’s Board of Trustees emphasized reconciliation. The PDP also publicly affirmed that Wike remains a loyal party member despite serving in the APC‑led federal government, describing his role as a “loan” without a transfer clause. Overall, the dispute centers on internal party control, candidate legitimacy and the upcoming INEC deadline, with the outcome poised to shape the PDP’s prospects in the 2027 elections.