Wike-Backed PDP Rejects APC Alliance Claims

The Peoples Democratic Party faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims of having any political understanding with the ruling All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections. The group said in Abuja on Tuesday that it remains focused on removing the APC from power during the next election cycle.

The position of the faction was made known by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, during an interview. According to him, reports linking the PDP with the APC were false and intended to create confusion within the opposition party. He maintained that the PDP was operating independently and preparing seriously for the 2027 elections.

Mohammed explained that the party had already started screening activities for aspirants seeking different elective positions. He said governorship and presidential aspirants would undergo screening at Legacy House, while other screenings would take place in various states.

He also disclosed that many aspirants had already returned their completed forms, with several governorship hopefuls from states such as Plateau, Taraba and Nasarawa taking part in the process.

He added that the exercise had continued peacefully and that party members remained hopeful about the PDP’s chances in the coming elections. According to him, the level of participation by aspirants and party members showed confidence in the internal process of the party.

At the same time, another group within the PDP, known as the PDP Survival Movement, defended the current National Working Committee led by Abdulrahman Mohammed and Samuel Anyanwu. The group insisted that no court judgment had dissolved the leadership structure currently in place.

During a press briefing in Abuja, the President of the movement, Okoh Bartholomew, argued that the Supreme Court ruling being discussed by some party members did not directly affect Anyanwu’s position as national secretary.

He said Anyanwu was not personally involved in the cross-appeal now being interpreted by some members as affecting his office.

Bartholomew stated that no court order had declared the existing leadership illegal. He explained that attempts to connect Anyanwu to the judgment were misleading and aimed at creating tension inside the party. He also insisted that the Abuja convention and decisions taken by the leadership remained valid because no court stopped them.

The group also questioned the legality of the Interim National Working Committee set up by another faction of the party. According to Bartholomew, some individuals who once opposed caretaker committees were now operating under a similar arrangement using a different name.

He further stated that the Independent National Electoral Commission did not officially recognise an earlier letter introducing Abdulrahman as acting national chairman because there were still legal disputes at the time. He explained that a later communication sent in December came under different conditions and eventually gained recognition.

The internal disagreement within the PDP follows the April 30 judgment of the Supreme Court, which cancelled the national convention held in Ibadan in November 2025. The convention had produced a leadership backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and headed by Tanimu Turaki.

After the judgment, the Makinde-backed National Executive Committee approved a 13-member caretaker committee led by Turaki. However, the Wike-aligned camp has continued to insist that the Abdulrahman and Anyanwu leadership remains the valid structure recognised by the courts.

The fresh disagreement comes as political parties across the country intensify preparations and consultations ahead of the 2027 general elections.