Blocs loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have intensified moves to secure alternative political platforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Sources within the party told Sunday PUNCH that both blocs are actively weighing the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as possible platforms for their aspirants, amid uncertainty surrounding PDP’s ability to field candidates.
The growing anxiety stems from unresolved court cases over the legitimacy of the PDP’s two rival factions, raising fears that the party may be shut out of the 2027 elections if the crisis persists.
These concerns were further heightened after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) rejected the PDP’s Ekiti governorship candidate, Wole Oluyede, for the June 20, 2026 election.
Oluyede emerged from a primary election conducted by the Taminu Turaki–led National Working Committee, a faction reportedly loyal to Governors Makinde, Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), and Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa). The Turaki leadership emerged from the party’s November 2025 convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
In contrast, the PDP faction aligned with Wike did not conduct a primary for the Ekiti poll.
Both factions continue to lay claim to the party’s legitimate leadership, but INEC has maintained that the PDP must first resolve its internal crisis before it can be recognised for electoral processes.
As legal battles drag on and deadlines approach, pressure is mounting — and the possibility of mass defections or strategic realignments now looms large over Nigeria’s opposition politics ahead of 2027.
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