2027: PDP’ll field candidates in all elective positions — Deputy national sec

2026-03-07 - 10:07

By Steve Oko The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared that it will field candidates for all elective positions in the 2027 general elections, insisting that the party remains united and has no factions. This is as the former Senate President and Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Adolphus Wabara, has formally flagged off the party’s online membership registration in Abia. Meanwhile, a former Commissioner for Housing, Abia State, James Opara, has dismissed the City Boy Movement – a key support group of President Bola Tinubu, as “a movement of jobless people.” Deputy National Secretary of the party, Chief Richard Nnanna Ihediwa, spoke in Umuahia during the Abia PDP stakeholders’ meeting cum inauguration of Local Government Caretaker Committees, and launch of the party’s e-registration exercise. Ihediwa claimed that the PDP was being “persecuted” because it remains the only formidable opposition capable of wresting power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He accused the APC of deploying political moles to fuel leadership crises within the party but insisted that the emergence of the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) at the November 2025 Ibadan Convention had effectively resolved the PDP’s leadership tussle. According to him, the PDP is fully prepared for the 2027 polls and will present Nigerians with a credible alternative. “Nigerians should know that the APC is not an option in 2027. The reason they are fighting the PDP is because they know we are the only party capable of salvaging Nigeria from their grip,” he said. Ihediwa accused the APC-led Federal Government of economic mismanagement, arguing that its policies have worsened the nation’s economic situation. He predicted that the ruling party would perform poorly in the South-East in the 2027 elections, saying the region would not easily forgive APC for jailing its son (apparently referring to the incarceration of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Mazi Nnamdi Kanu). “APC has failed Nigeria and we have suffered enough, especially in the South-East. A government that jailed your son and kept him far away from you should not expect your support,” he said, alleging continued marginalisation of the zone. The PDP chieftain also decried the activities of some party members allegedly working with external forces to undermine the fortunes of the PDP. “Some moles wanted to sell the PDP because of money and parcels of land in Abuja,” he alleged. However, he commended the PDP Governors’ Forum, the Board of Trustees (BoT) and party elders for resisting attempts by certain elements to hijack the party. Ihediwa expressed confidence that the consolidated litigations at the Court of Appeal would be resolved in favour of the Turaki-led NWC. Referencing a recent court ruling that cleared the party’s candidate for the Ekiti governorship election, he said the judiciary would ultimately uphold the party’s position. “We have faith in the judiciary and expect a favourable judgment. The court cannot tell you who your father is. We know our father. Our convention was held in Ibadan and our leadership emerged from there,” he said. He urged party members to remain steadfast and participate actively in the ongoing online membership registration, declaring that the PDP’s difficult days were over. “PDP is back on its winning track. We cannot be stopped,” he said. Wabara flags off e-registration Flagging off the online membership registration campaign, Wabara urged party faithful across the state to register en masse, saying the PDP had been repositioned for electoral victories. Overwhelmed by the turnout of members at the event, Wabara declared that “the PDP can never die.” The former Senate President commended the Abia PDP Caretaker Committee Chairman, Hon. Ikpegbu Emeka-Yellow, for demonstrating leadership capacity within a short period in office. He, however, advised the new leadership to avoid godfatherism, urging them to give all party members equal opportunities. According to him, transparency and due process would attract more members back to the party. “People will be attracted to the PDP when they see that transparency and due process are valued instead of impunity and imposition which weakened the party in the past,” Wabara said. He also called on those who left the PDP during its turbulent period to return, expressing confidence that the party would reclaim several states in 2027. ‘Rebuild PDP from the grassroots’ – Emeka- Yellow Earlier, while inaugurating the Local Government Caretaker Committees, Hon. Emeka-Yellow described their appointment as “a call to service, sacrifice and responsible leadership.” “The task before you is clear: rebuild our structures at the grassroots, mobilise our members, reconnect with our supporters and restore public confidence in our great party,” he said. He admitted that the PDP in Abia had previously faced serious internal challenges that weakened its structures but said the party had now turned a new page. Emeka-Yellow said the party would soon embark on an aggressive membership drive, insisting that Abia remains a PDP stronghold. He also appealed to former members who left the party to return and embrace reconciliation. “This is the time to heal old wounds, rebuild trust and reunite our party,” he said. However, he warned that the PDP would no longer tolerate members working as political moles or double agents. “The era of sabotage must end. The PDP remains a home for loyal and committed democrats ready to work for the growth and success of the party,” he declared. The caretaker chairman pledged loyalty to the Turaki-led NWC and commended PDP governors and elders for defending the party. He particularly thanked Senator Wabara for his commitment to preserving the party. Party leaders pledge support Other speakers at the meeting — including former House of Assembly member, Hon. Emeka Ejiogu; former Commissioner for Housing Barr, James Opara, and Hon. Tamuna Iyala who spoke on behalf of the three senatorial zones — expressed optimism that the PDP had bounced back in Abia. They commended the caretaker committee for its “visionary leadership” and pledged their support. Opara, a lawyer, maintained that the outcome of the Ibadan Convention remained valid because the notice convening the convention was duly signed by the then National Chairman and National Secretary as required by law. He therefore insisted that the Turaki-led NWC remains the authentic leadership of the PDP. The lawyer also criticised the APC, accusing the ruling party of attempting to weaken the opposition through political infiltration. He further dismissed the City Boy Movement, a support group of President Bola Tinubu, describing it as “a movement of jobless people.” Opara also criticised provisions of the new Electoral Act, particularly the failure to make real-time electronic transmission of election results mandatory, saying it raised doubts about the ruling party’s commitment to credible elections.