Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has hailed the publication of its presidential candidate by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), declaring that the development has finally put to rest months of speculation over the party's participation in the 2027 presidential election. The party described the inclusion of Senator Sandy Onor and his running mate, Babangida Umar, on INEC's official list of candidates as a major milestone in its preparations for the general election, insisting that those who predicted the party would fail to produce a candidate had been proven wrong.
In a statement issued on Sunday, August 2, 2026, by the faction's National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, the party said the publication had "effectively laid to rest" what it described as sustained misinformation and propaganda aimed at undermining confidence in the party. "Of particular significance is the publication of the names of our presidential candidate, Distinguished Senator Sandy Ojang Onor, and his running mate, Alhaji Babangida Umar, who will proudly fly the flag of our great party in the 2027 presidential election," the statement read. The party maintained that the development had vindicated its leadership after months of claims that internal disputes would prevent it from fielding candidates for the election.
The Wike-backed faction also used the opportunity to take a swipe at the rival faction led by former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, which had adopted former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate. The Turaki faction had claimed to have manually submitted Jonathan's name to INEC after being denied access to the commission's electronic nomination portal, but the Wike faction argued that INEC's publication of Onor and Umar's names had effectively dealt a blow to that campaign. "Today, the facts have prevailed, the law has taken its course, and the PDP has once again been vindicated," the statement declared.
The party expressed appreciation to its members and supporters across the country and in the diaspora for remaining steadfast during what it described as a challenging period. "We must express our profound appreciation to millions of Nigerians and commend the resilience and patience of our loyal party members across the world who kept faith with the PDP and refused to be swayed by deliberate falsehoods," the statement added. The PDP also commended INEC, the judiciary, and security agencies for what it described as their commitment to the rule of law and constitutional order.
Reaffirming its commitment to reconciliation, the party appealed to aggrieved members, including those in the Turaki-led faction, to return, saying unity remained essential to reclaiming political power. "We extend an open hand to every aggrieved member, believing that the collective interest of the party is greater than individual differences and that unity remains the surest path to restoring our party to its rightful place as Nigeria's foremost democratic platform," the statement said. The party also welcomed returning members and recent defectors, describing their decision as evidence of renewed confidence in the PDP's vision and leadership.
The development follows months of uncertainty over whether the PDP would successfully field a presidential ticket after prolonged legal and leadership disputes fuelled speculation about its readiness for the 2027 polls. The Wike-backed faction had earlier uploaded the names of its presidential and National Assembly candidates to the INEC portal, while the Turaki faction insisted that it had manually submitted Jonathan's name to the commission. However, INEC's final publication of candidates has now confirmed Senator Sandy Onor as the PDP's presidential candidate, dealing a significant blow to the Jonathan campaign and setting the stage for a potentially divisive legal battle over the party's leadership and the legitimacy of its candidates.
As the 2027 general elections approach, the PDP's internal crisis remains unresolved, with both factions claiming legitimacy and vowing to pursue their respective candidates. The Wike-backed faction has made it clear that it will not back down, while the Turaki faction has vowed to challenge the recognition of Onor's candidacy in court. The coming weeks and months are likely to see further legal wrangling as both sides dig in for a prolonged struggle over the soul of the PDP. For now, the Wike-backed faction is celebrating what it sees as a significant victory, but the battle for the party's future is far from over.
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