Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has expressed doubts about the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) ability to win the 2027 presidential election, citing the party’s unresolved internal crisis and weak grassroots structures.
Speaking during a media chat on Thursday, Wike said rebuilding the party should take priority over pursuing the presidency. He argued that no party could mount a successful nationwide campaign without first resolving internal disputes and strengthening its presence across the 36 states.
Meanwhile, ahead of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) July 11 deadline for presidential nominations, sources within the Wike-backed PDP said the party had selected National Vice Chairman (North East), Babangida Umaru, as the running mate to presidential candidate Sandy Onor. PDP National Publicity Secretary Mohammed Jungudo confirmed that the presidential and vice-presidential nominations had been uploaded but declined to identify the running mate.
However, the rival PDP faction led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN) insisted former President Goodluck Jonathan remains its presidential candidate and dismissed the Wike-backed faction’s nominations. The faction also maintained that it would follow the appropriate procedures ahead of the election while criticising the current political environment.
