The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction backed by Nyesom Wike has commenced the screening of presidential, governorship, and national assembly aspirants ahead of the 2027 general election.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, the party said the exercise was being coordinated by the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led national working committee (NWC).
The statement was issued by Chinwe Nnorom, national director of publicity, on behalf of Jungudo Mohammed, national publicity secretary of the party.
According to the statement, the screening of governorship aspirants was scheduled for noon on Thursday at the PDP national secretariat annex, Legacy House, Maitama, Abuja, while that of presidential aspirants was fixed for 2pm at the same venue.
The party said the presidential screening committee is chaired by Okezie Ikpeazu, former Abia state governor, while Hassan Sokodobo will serve as secretary.
Other members of the committee include former senators George Sekibo and Zainab Kure, alongside other party stakeholders.
The PDP said the governorship screening committee is chaired by Ahmed Makarfi, former Kaduna state governor, with George Ariolu serving as secretary.
Other members of the committee include Ibrahim Umar, Aisha Madawaki, Tajudeen Yusuf, and other party chieftains.
On her part, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Kogi central senator, said she had successfully completed the PDP screening exercise for aspirants contesting elective offices ahead of the elections.
Speaking after the event in Lokoja, the senator said she arrived fully prepared with all required credentials and supporting documents.
“I am pleased to have successfully completed the screening exercise as part of the process ahead of the party primaries for the 2027 Kogi Central Senatorial Election under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),” she said.
Akpoti-Uduaghan described the exercise as a renewed commitment to quality representation and continued service to the people.
Similarly, Muhammed Abdullahi, popularly known as “Elephant”, said he had been screened and cleared to participate in the PDP primary election for the Kogi East senatorial district.
“I came fully prepared with all the required credentials and supporting documents, and I am pleased to announce that I have been officially screened and cleared to participate in the forthcoming PDP primary election for the Kogi East Senatorial District,” he said.
In Cross River state, the PDP said it screened 45 aspirants for national assembly and state assembly seats ahead of the party’s May 21 primaries.
The screening exercise was conducted by a five-man panel led by Fred Osim.
Among the aspirants screened was Alex Egbona, a member of the house of representatives who recently defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the PDP.
Meanwhile, the PDP faction led by Kabiru Turaki, said it has formed an alliance with the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
Speaking with TheCable on Wednesday, Ini Ememobong, spokesperson of the Turaki PDP faction, said the alliance stemmed from the All Opposition Political Party Leaders summit held in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo, in April
