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• We’ll see who gets INEC access code – FCT Minister
From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja and Lateef Dada, Osogbo
The Tanimu Turaki-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Interim National Working Committee (INWC) has unveiled candidates for the 2027 general election, noting that the opposition party will contest the number one office in the land and governorship polls in 28 states.
The party confirmed former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
Speaking during the presentation ceremony, Chairman of the PDP Interim National Working Committee, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, said the party was determined to prevent a recurrence of situations where candidates secured electoral mandates on its platform and later defected to rival parties.
“Nobody, moving forward, nobody will take our mandate to another political party and get away with it. But before we take your names to INEC, you will sign. You will sign an undertaking. What had happened before will not happen again,” Turaki said.
According to him, the party had carried out extensive background checks and security screenings on its governorship candidates to reduce legal and integrity concerns that could threaten its electoral fortunes.
“PDP would not want a situation where for any reason that we win the election and then that victory will be taken out from us at the tribunal,” he added.
Turaki disclosed that while most candidates had successfully scaled the screening process and received their Certificates of Return, a few others were still undergoing verification.
“There are still others, a very small number, that are yet to be cleared. Issues have been raised. They are not very serious issues of concern, but yet they are issues that we consider very significant, and those issues have to be cleared,” he said.
He expressed confidence in the party’s preparedness for the 2027 polls.
“We can beat our chest to say that PDP will contest election in every constituency where election will be held in 2027. And it is not just about contesting, it is about contesting to win and that is why we sat down carefully, methodically, and we sat down again and then examined each and every one of the individuals that had presented themselves for election as a candidate under the platform of our party.
“We have done background checks and we are still doing background checks on some of the people that had even emerged because PDP would not want a situation where for any reason that we win election and then that victory will be taken out from us at the tribunal.”
Turaki, former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, during the tenure of President Goodluck Jonathan, said the PDP is interested in fielding candidates with capacity to deliver “dividends of democracy to their people.”
Apart from the 28 gubernatorial candidates, most of whom were presented with the Certificate of Returns, the PDP faction is fielding candidates for 469 National Assembly seats and 993 state Houses of Assembly seats.
Among those presented with governorship Certificates of Return were Lawal Mohammed Umar (Kaduna), Hassan Oladimeji Ali (Kwara), Zanna Gadama Mustapha (Borno), Ibeabuchi Ihenechukwu (Abia), Effiong Eyamba (Cross River), Sherrig Abdullahi (Yobe), Donatus Nwogbo (Enugu), Eze Alexander (Ebonyi), Etenabene Benedict (Delta), Taofeek Arapaja (Oyo), Caleb Maigbadani (Adamawa), Mohammed Ahmed Yayari (Gombe), Victor Richard (Rivers), Senator Joel Ikenya (Taraba), Ibrahim Abdullahi (Kebbi), Mohammed Ja’afaru (Nasarawa), Oladelipopu Adebisi (Ogun), Mohammed Kabir (Kano), Emmanuel Agbo (Benue), Adetokumbo Pearce (Lagos) and Sunday Garba (Plateau).
However, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said the release of INEC access code for the 2027 polls will further reinforce the authentic leadership of the PDP.
Wike stated this at the 109th National Executive Committee (NEC) of the opposition party, at the National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza Abuja.
This is as Senator Sandy Onor received Certificate of Returns as PDP presidential candidate for the 2027 polls, alongside gubernatorial and National Assembly candidates.
While admonishing members of the PDP to organise themselves effectively for the challenges ahead of the 2027 general election, Wike noted that power is not given but taken.
In a veiled reference to the Turaki camp, the minister said they can continue to file suits in courts while the PDP, under the leadership of Mohammed is preparing for the general election.
“You must have to organizse yourself. Do your best. Yes, we have people who are fighting. Don’t blame those of our brother who are fighting. They have lost out. If it were you would you be happy.
“You are seated here. This is the official House of the PDP. Somebody has no access. They said they are hiring hotel somewhere and you think they will be happy with you? You must be joking.
“You must also know to have this place where they will be seating down. Unfortunately there is no way. If your mind is double, better forget about that. There is no more room for that, the matter is foreclosed and foreclosed for better. This is the authentic place that you can run election as far PDP is concerned.
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“As far as we are concerned, June 26 is when they will give access code to political parties to upload. Don’t worry; we are good to go. Nobody is afraid. We will see who INEC will give the code.
“So, we are here, we are not afraid, let them continue to be going to court, while we continue to prepare for our own election. Don’t worry, stop thinking about what will happen, nothing again will happen. the worst has happened.
“They come today, they will read their own judgment as they want it. Not as the judgment given by the court. They will put one line of their own and then you will begin to panic. If you are not serious in this business you better leave.”
Mohammed, while addressing NEC, commended party stakeholders for their commitment to the unity and growth of the party, noting that attendance at the NEC meeting was a demonstration of confidence in the PDP’s ability to provide democratic leadership and national development.
“We have absolute confidence in the ability of the Independent National Electoral Commission to continue strengthening the electoral process and providing a level playing field for all political parties in accordance with the Constitution and the Electoral Act.
“We urge all stakeholders to continue supporting efforts aimed at consolidating our democracy and enhancing the credibility of future elections.”
Board of Trustees Chairman, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, congratulated the candidates and sued for unity, reconciliation and stronger mobilisation ahead of the elections.
“As leaders, we must ensure that every member of our party feels valued and carried along. We must reach out to those who may have grievances. We know that in every contest where two or more people are involved, there will always be winners and those who are disappointed. However, I believe it is the responsibility of the party, and most especially the Board of Trustees, to ensure that every member of this party remains united.
“Those who feel aggrieved must be approached and reconciled. There must be no victors and no vanquished. Our focus must now be on the bigger task of winning elections and providing credible leadership for our people.”
Meanwhile, former Osun State governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has dumped Governor Ademola Adeleke and endorsed the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) gubernatorial candidate, Adewale Adebayo, ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election.
This happened after 24-hours that some chieftains of the Accord Party and SSAs to governor Ademola Adeleke dumped the party and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking with journalists at his residence in Okuku, yesterday, Oyinlola said the claimed PDP–Accord alliance would not benefit the Accord Party or any other party, stressing that the “structure” would rather work for APM.
Oyinlola said the meeting with APM’s 2027 National and State Assembly candidates, led by Adebayo, was to acquaint themselves with candidates for the upcoming elections.
He added that the movement is a combination of APM and PDP, created to present a “formidable force” for the 2026 governorship and subsequent 2027 general elections.
He said the endorsement is for APM candidates only, and not for any other party.
Oyinlola urged the candidates to work hard for Adebayo to win.
Tajudeen Oladipo, ex-national vice chairman of PDP, disclosed that some leaders called him before the meeting to solicit his support, but he declined.
He said people have lost confidence in Accord and the APC, adding that APM offers a better alternative and that they were “not in the race for fun.”
Fatai Akinbade, former Secretary to the State Government, similarly urged the candidates not to treat the election as a game, but to work diligently for victory.
Adebayo described the Osun election as a “litmus test” for 2027, saying winning Osun would send a signal ahead of the presidential bid of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.
He said they rejected offers and pleas from APC and Accord, arguing that those parties have nothing to offer Osun apart from “ill-governance.”
He expressed confidence that with support from PDP structures, they would win the election.
