The Interim National Working Committee (INWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by its Chairman, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), has presented Certificates of Return to the party’s cleared governorship candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during an interactive session with governorship candidates, state chairmen and other stakeholders in Abuja, Turaki described the meeting as the first since the inauguration of the Interim National Working Committee.
He said the committee had worked closely with state chairmen and party structures across the 774 local government areas to successfully conduct the party’s congresses and primaries.
According to him, the PDP is fully prepared to field candidates in every constituency where elections will be held in 2027.
“PDP will contest elections in every constituency where elections will be held in 2027. It is not just about participating; it is about winning,” he said.
Turaki disclosed that the party subjected its candidates to extensive background and security checks to ensure that only credible and qualified individuals emerged as flag bearers.
He explained that only candidates who had successfully completed the screening process received engraved Certificates of Return, while others whose clearance was concluded recently received provisional certificates. He added that a few candidates with pending issues would receive their certificates after the completion of the verification process.
The factional PDP chairman said the rigorous screening was aimed at preventing situations where electoral victories could be overturned through litigation.
He maintained that the party was determined to present leaders with integrity, credibility and the capacity to deliver democratic dividends to Nigerians.
Turaki also revealed that all candidates would be required to sign binding undertakings before their names are forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying the measure was intended to prevent elected officials from defecting to other political parties after securing the party’s mandate.
He urged the candidates to remain loyal to the PDP, stressing that “the party is supreme”.
Expressing confidence in the party’s prospects in the 2027 elections, Turaki said the PDP had produced credible candidates capable of providing effective leadership at both the state and national levels.
Earlier, the factional PDP National Organising Secretary, Hon. Theophilus Dakas Shan, congratulated the governorship candidates on their emergence, describing them as the party’s standard-bearers for the 2027 elections.
Shan said the Interim National Working Committee assumed office following the Supreme Court judgement that nullified the party’s Ibadan convention, leaving the party without substantive leadership.
He noted that despite having only a few weeks to organise congresses and primaries nationwide, the committee successfully completed the exercise with the support of state chapters and party stakeholders.
According to him, the PDP now has candidates for all elective positions, including the presidency, governorships, the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly.
At the event, Certificates of Return were presented to Lawal Mohammed Umar (Kaduna), Hassan Oladimeji Ali (Kwara), Zanna Gadama Mustapha (Borno), Ibeabuchi Ihenechukwu (Abia), Effiong Eyamba (Cross River), Sherrig Abdullahi (Yobe), Donatus Nwogbo (Enugu), Eze Alexander (Ebonyi), Etenabene Benedict (Delta), Taofeek Arapaja (Oyo), Caleb Maigbadani (Adamawa), Mohammed Ahmed Yayari (Gombe), Victor Richard (Rivers), Senator Joel Ikenya (Taraba), Ibrahim Abdullahi (Kebbi), Mohammed Ja’afaru (Nasarawa), Oladelipopu Adebisi (Ogun), Mohammed Kabir (Kano), Emmanuel Agbo (Benue), Adetokumbo Pierce (Lagos) and Sunday Garba (Plateau).
Shan disclosed that the party has produced 28 governorship candidates, 109 senatorial candidates, 360 House of Representatives candidates, and 993 House of Assembly candidates, while additional primaries had been conducted for some outstanding constituencies.
He expressed optimism that the PDP would mount a strong challenge in the 2027 general elections, insisting that the party had overcome its internal challenges and was ready for the next phase of political campaigns.
