The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has officially refuted claims of any pre-existing agreement to hand over its 2027 presidential ticket to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or any other political heavyweight within the party. This statement comes amid growing speculation about the party’s plans for the next general election.
Timothy Osadolor, the PDP’s Deputy National Youth Leader, made this clarification in an exclusive interview with Saturday PUNCH. He emphasized that the party has not made any commitments regarding its presidential candidate for the upcoming election cycle.
“Nobody has told the party that he or she is running on the platform of the PDP for the party to take a position, and there is no agreement that a particular person will be given the ticket,” Osadolor stated. He further explained that the party has not yet issued notices for the sale of nomination forms or called for primaries, indicating that the selection process for the party’s presidential candidate remains open.
This announcement comes on the heels of recent comments by Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and a prominent PDP figure, who publicly declared that Atiku Abubakar would have no chance of securing the party’s presidential ticket in 2027. Wike’s statement has reignited discussions about the party’s future direction and potential candidates.
Osadolor acknowledged that while Wike’s position might have some validity based on past events, he also cautioned against ruling out Atiku entirely. Drawing a parallel to international politics, he noted, “If Trump could win against Kamala Harris, anything is possible”. This comparison suggests that the political landscape can be unpredictable and that established figures like Atiku should not be discounted prematurely.
The PDP’s stance on its 2027 presidential ticket reflects a desire to maintain neutrality and openness in its candidate selection process. As Nigeria’s political landscape continues to evolve, the party appears to be keeping its options open, allowing for a fair and competitive process when the time comes to choose its standard-bearer for the next presidential election.
This development underscores the ongoing dynamics within the PDP and the broader Nigerian political sphere as parties begin to position themselves for the 2027 electoral contest. As the situation unfolds, it’s clear that the race for the PDP’s presidential nomination remains wide open, with no predetermined outcomes or favoured candidates at this stage.
By Joseph Johnston,
Youth Editor,
Egogonews Hub
