Wike-backed PDP faction rules out alliance with APC, vows to win 2027 elections

The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed speculation of any alliance with the ruling All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that it remains focused on defeating the APC at the polls.

The faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, described the alliance claims as mischievous, noting that the PDP is receiving defections from the APC, which undermines any suggestion of a working relationship between the two parties. He reiterated that the PDP stands alone and is fully committed to winning the 2027 presidential election.

Mohammed also provided an update on the party’s screening and nomination process, stating that it has been progressing smoothly. He said screening for aspirants would begin soon, with some exercises conducted at state levels while governorship and presidential aspirants would be screened at the Legacy House.

According to him, aspirants from several states, including Plateau, Taraba, and Nasarawa, have already submitted their forms, and the party is optimistic about the primaries and the 2027 elections.

In a related development, a group of PDP stakeholders under the aegis of the PDP Survival Movement has insisted that no court judgment has nullified the Abdulrahman Mohammed and Samuel Anyanwu-led National Working Committee. The group questioned the legitimacy of the Tanimu Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee, which emerged from a separate faction backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the group’s president, Okoh Bartholomew, argued that the Supreme Court ruling being cited by the opposing camp did not affect Anyanwu’s position as national secretary. He noted that Anyanwu was not a party to the cross-appeal in question, and that no court can make a binding pronouncement against someone who was not a party to the proceedings.

Bartholomew further clarified that a letter written in November introducing Abdulrahman as acting national chairman was never recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission, which opted to await the outcome of appellate court proceedings. He contrasted that with a later December communication that led to the formation of a caretaker committee, arguing that the two letters had different legal effects and should not be conflated.

He also questioned the consistency of the group now operating as an Interim National Working Committee, noting that the same individuals had previously argued that caretaker committees at the national level were unknown to the PDP Constitution. He called on party members to disregard what he described as misinformation and to recognise the Abdulrahman/Anyanwu-led NWC as the only court-recognised leadership structure.

The Supreme Court had in a split decision on April 30 annulled the PDP national convention held in Ibadan in November, which produced the Turaki-led leadership, ruling that the convention violated existing restraining orders.

In response, the Makinde-aligned faction of the party’s National Executive Committee approved a 13-member caretaker committee headed by Turaki.