The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) backed by Nyesom Wike has commenced the screening of presidential, governorship and national assembly aspirants ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, the faction said the exercise was being coordinated by the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led national working committee (NWC).
The statement was signed 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 party’s national secretariat annex, Legacy House in Maitama, Abuja, while presidential aspirants were billed for screening by 2pm at the same venue.
The presidential screening committee is chaired by Okezie Ikpeazu, with Hassan Sokodobo serving as secretary.
Other members include former senators George Sekibo and Zainab Kure, alongside other party stakeholders.
For the governorship screening panel, the faction named Ahmed Makarfi as chairman, while George Ariolu will serve as secretary.
Other members of the committee include Ibrahim Umar, Aisha Madawaki and Tajudeen Yusuf.
Meanwhile, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan said she had successfully completed the PDP screening exercise for aspirants seeking elective offices ahead of the elections.
Speaking after the exercise in Lokoja, the senator said she arrived 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 PDP,” she said.
Akpoti-Uduaghan described the process as a renewed commitment to quality representation and continued service to the people.
Also speaking, Muhammed Abdullahi, popularly known as “Elephant”, said he had been screened and cleared to contest in the PDP primary election for the Kogi East senatorial district.
In Cross River State, the PDP faction said it screened 45 aspirants for national assembly and state assembly seats ahead of the party’s May 21 primaries.
The screening was conducted by a five-man panel headed by Fred Osim.
Among those screened was Alex Egbona, who recently defected from the All Progressives Congress to the PDP.
Meanwhile, another PDP faction led by Kabiru Turaki said it has entered into an alliance with the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
Ini Ememobong, spokesperson of the Turaki-led faction, said the alliance emerged from the All Opposition Political Party Leaders summit held in Ibadan, Oyo State, in April.
