PDP will contest 2027 polls, says Wike
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will field candidates in the 2027 general election, its National Leader and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, said last night. He
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- From Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Editor, Tony Akowe and Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will field candidates in the 2027 general election, its National Leader and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, said last night.
He also said the party would reclaim mandates allegedly taken to other parties by defectors across the states of the federation.
Wike, who spoke at the party’s national convention in Abuja, said the monitoring of the convention by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had further validated the leadership claim of the National Caretaker Committee led by Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed and paved the way for the party to participate in the elections.
“By the grace of God, PDP will be on the ballot in 2027,” he said, drawing applause from delegates from the 36 states and the FCT.
The National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who presented a report on the party’s activities over the past four years, said he remained the custodian of the party’s core property: its original certificate.
“The original certificate is with me,” he said.
The caretaker chairman, Mohammed, was elected National Chairman by consensus following a motion moved by House of Representatives Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda.
The motion was seconded by a former House of Representatives member from Kano, Usaman Adamu.
Other officers elected included Aaron Chukwuemeka (Deputy National Chairman, South), Yusuf Akwekwe (Deputy National Chairman, North), Anyanwu (National Secretary), Kamorudeen Ajibade (National Legal Adviser), Olabisi Kolawole (Deputy National Secretary) and Diran Odeyemi (National Treasurer).
The convention, held at the National Stadium, Abuja, was attended by former governors Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia and Chairman of the Convention Planning Committee), Bukola Saraki (Kwara), Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Ahmed Makarfi (Kaduna) and Hassan Dankwambo (Gombe).
Others present included Senate Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro, Senator Zainab Kure, Senator Abdul Ningi, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Chibudom Nwuche, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, a member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) and former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Michael Aondoakaa (SAN), whose letter of resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in his ward Benue State was made available yesterday.
Wike berated defectors from the party, including Peter Obi, saying they lacked principles.
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He, however, praised party members at the grassroots for standing firm during the crisis.
The minister said: “It is gladdening to note that throughout this period of avoidable crisis, our members at the grassroots across all the wards in this country remained largely steadfast in their dedication to the party.
“They insisted that they would never leave the party that had, over the years, contributed significantly to their welfare and upliftment, as well as to the development of society.
“While some opportunistic elites defected from one party to another in pursuit of selfish interests, our members remained faithful, praying for a renaissance. Today, that renaissance is here.”
Wike charged Mohammed and his team to lead the party on the path of equity, fairness and justice. He also urged those who had left the party to return in the spirit of reconciliation.
He said: “Let me make it abundantly clear that the path to the future of our party must be paved with the values of inclusiveness, unity and renewal.
“Our brothers and sisters, whether in agreement or disagreement, should come together to rebuild the party for the common good. No one will be excluded, and everyone will have an equal opportunity to serve.”
Former Senate President Bukola Saraki, who had earlier called for reconciliation during the crisis, said the PDP remained a strong and viable political platform.
He said: “What is happening today shows that the PDP is well rooted across the country.
“Our mission is to ensure that we provide a credible platform for those who wish to contest in 2027, and I am glad that INEC is here to give legitimacy to the process.
“Today presents a great opportunity to chart a new course. I urge those who are not here to join us so we can collectively move the party forward.”
Senator Abba Moro fired salvos at the organisers of the nullified Ibadan convention, recalling that they acted contrary to the advice of the Senate caucus.
He lamented that the number of PDP governors had dwindled from 13 to two due to the protracted crisis.
Thanking Wike for his leadership and firmness, Moro said there was now renewed assurance that the PDP would participate in the 2027 elections.
He urged party chieftains sitting on the fence to return and join in rebuilding the platform.
Former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido urged members not to lose hope, assuring them that the party still had a bright future.
He called on defectors to retrace their steps, noting that many of them rose to prominence as governors and senators on the platform of the PDP.
He also emphasised the need for forgiveness, stressing that the party belongs to all Nigerians and cannot be appropriated by any individual.
In his acceptance speech, Mohammed pledged to serve loyally and foster equity, fairness and justice within the party.
He assured members that the new National Working Committee (NWC) would not betray the confidence reposed in them.
“Under my leadership, the party will belong to all of us,” he said.
