Fresh PDP Twist: Wike’s Allies Settle On VP Choice, Turaki’s Faction Demands Jonathan

The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has reportedly selected the party’s National Vice Chairman (North-East), Babangida Umaru, as the running mate to its presidential candidate, Sandy Onor, ahead of the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

A senior member of the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led National Working Committee (NWC), who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to discuss internal party decisions, said the choice followed consultations between the party leadership and key stakeholders.

According to the source, the names of both Onor and Umaru have already been uploaded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination portal.

He explained that after extensive consultations, the party leadership and the presidential candidate agreed that Umaru was the preferred choice for the vice-presidential ticket.

The development comes as INEC’s deadline for political parties to submit the nomination forms of presidential and National Assembly candidates through its online portal expires at 6:00 p.m. on July 11, 2026.

The nomination exercise, which commenced on June 27, requires political parties to submit Forms EC9 and EC9A to EC9E in line with Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026.

The electoral commission has also scheduled the submission of governorship and state House of Assembly candidates’ nomination forms to begin on July 18 and conclude on August 8.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mohammed Jungudo, confirmed that the party had successfully completed the submission of its National Assembly candidates and had also uploaded the names of its presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

However, he declined to officially disclose the identity of the vice-presidential nominee.

According to Jungudo, only information released by the party’s national chairman or the national publicity secretary should be regarded as official.

He said the party’s next priority is completing the nomination process for governorship and state House of Assembly candidates before unveiling campaign structures and committees.

Jungudo expressed confidence in the party’s readiness for the elections, insisting that ongoing legal disputes would not affect its preparations.

He also urged PDP candidates at all levels to work closely with party leaders and stakeholders in their respective constituencies, stressing that electoral victory would require commitment and grassroots mobilisation.

The spokesman said the party was optimistic about winning a majority of seats in the National Assembly and state legislatures, as well as securing governorship victories in at least two-thirds of the states.

While declining to reveal details of the party’s presidential campaign strategy, he maintained that its candidates remained motivated and prepared for the contest.

Turaki-Led Faction Rejects Ticket

Meanwhile, the rival PDP faction led by Tanimu Turaki has rejected the reported Onor-Umaru presidential ticket, insisting that former President Goodluck Jonathan remains its preferred presidential candidate.

The faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, dismissed the activities of the Wike-backed leadership operating from the PDP national secretariat at Wadata Plaza in Abuja, saying they had no bearing on his group’s position.

According to Ememobong, Jonathan remains the authentic presidential candidate of the faction, adding that there has been no indication from the former president suggesting otherwise.

Responding to questions about the faction’s inability to access INEC’s nomination portal, he expressed confidence that the issue would be resolved through the appropriate legal and administrative channels.

He also accused the Federal Government of creating an environment that undermines multi-party democracy, arguing that many Nigerians have lost confidence in the electoral process.

Ememobong said his faction was unconcerned about the candidates or decisions announced by the Wike-backed leadership, insisting that it would continue to pursue its own political agenda independently.