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 election.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, the party said the exercise is 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 PDP national secretariat annex, Legacy House, Maitama, Abuja, while presidential aspirants were billed for screening by 2pm at the same venue.
The party said the presidential screening committee is chaired by former Abia State governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, while Hassan Sokodobo serves as secretary.
Other members of the committee include former senators George Sekibo and Zainab Kure, alongside other party stakeholders.
The PDP also disclosed that the governorship screening committee is headed by former Kaduna State governor, Ahmed Makarfi, with George Ariolu serving as secretary.
Other members include Ibrahim Umar, Aisha Madawaki, Tajudeen Yusuf, and several party chieftains.
Meanwhile, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi Central, announced that 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 attended the screening with all necessary 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 process as a renewed commitment to quality representation and service delivery.
Similarly, Muhammed Abdullahi, popularly known as “Elephant”, disclosed that he had also been screened and cleared to contest 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 positions ahead of the party’s May 21 primaries.
The exercise was conducted by a five-man panel headed by Fred Osim.
Among those 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 had entered into an alliance with the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
