By Our Correspondents
Two factions of the Peoples Democratic Party laid claim to the party’s ticket for next year’s general elections on Wednesday, each parading its own set of candidates in separate Abuja ceremonies that underscored the opposition party’s deepening divisions.
The camps, one aligned with Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike and the other under the banner of former Minister Tanimu Turaki, conducted their events independently, with both sides dismissing the other’s claims to legitimacy and expressing certainty that the electoral commission would validate their nominees.
Wednesday’s duelling exercises set the stage for a potentially chaotic submission of candidate names, as the Independent National Electoral Commission is scheduled to release access codes to political parties on Thursday.
At the Wadata Plaza venue, Wike addressed party faithful with a blunt assessment of the PDP’s current standing, urging members to abandon grievances and channel their energies into winning back power.
“Nobody gives power. Power is taken. If you do not do so, that is your business. You must fight for it to take it. Nobody is ready to dash you power,” Wike declared.
The minister stressed the importance of delivering tangible electoral results, reminding governors and party officials that their performance at the polls would ultimately determine the party’s fortunes.
“If you bring a House of Representatives seat, you have done something. If you bring an Assembly member, you have done something. But don’t come here empty-handed. This is not a place for empty hands,” he added.
Turning his attention to the looming INEC deadline, Wike expressed confidence that his camp would emerge as the recognised leadership.
“As far as I am concerned, June 26 is when they will give access codes to political parties to upload results. Don’t worry, we are good to go. Nobody is afraid. We will see who INEC will give the code to,” he said.
His faction used the occasion to formally present certificates to its presidential flagbearer, Sandy Onor, as well as governorship candidates for several states, including Bolakale Kawu for Kwara and Isa Pantami for Gombe.
Earlier, the faction’s National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, commended state leaders for conducting peaceful primaries, while Board of Trustees chairman Mao Ohuabunwa called for reconciliation and stronger grassroots mobilisation.
At a separate stakeholders’ gathering elsewhere in Abuja, the Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee presented a more expansive roster, claiming to have fielded candidates for every single constituency across the federation.
Turaki said the faction had cleared 28 governorship candidates, 109 senatorial contenders, 360 House of Representatives aspirants, and 993 state assembly nominees following a thorough vetting process.
“It is not just about contesting; it is about contesting to win. That is why we carefully and methodically examined every individual who presented themselves as a candidate under the platform of our party,” Turaki explained.
He said the faction introduced background investigations and security screenings, a measure designed to avoid post-election disqualifications and ensure credible representation.
“The first set of candidates who have been fully cleared will receive engraved certificates of return. Others whose documents we received only yesterday will also receive their certificates today, although theirs may not yet be engraved or laminated,” he added.
The faction’s National Organising Secretary, Theophilus Dakas-Shan, went further, asserting that the group had successfully conducted ward-based primaries nationwide.
“We have a presidential candidate who bought the forms, signed them and was duly nominated the other day. Despite all efforts to stop us from nominating him, we succeeded,” Dakas-Shan said.
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