The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has welcomed the publication of Senator Sandy Ojang Onor as its presidential candidate by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The development puts to rest months of speculation about the party's 2027 election plans and delivers a significant blow to the rival Tanimu Turaki faction, which had adopted former President Goodluck Jonathan as its candidate.
INEC Publishes Onor and Running Mate on Official Candidate List
INEC's official list of candidates for the 2027 general election includes Senator Sandy Onor and his running mate, Alhaji Babangida Umar. The publication, according to the Wike-aligned PDP, marks a significant milestone in the party's preparations for the upcoming presidential election.
The National Publicity Secretary of the faction, Jungudo Mohammed, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Sunday, August 2, 2026. Mohammed emphasized that the inclusion of Onor and Umar on INEC's list effectively ends the misinformation and propaganda that had cast doubt on the party's ability to field a candidate.
PDP Spokesman: 'Facts Have Prevailed'
In the statement, Mohammed said, "This development has effectively laid to rest the sustained misinformation and propaganda by those who desperately sought to convince Nigerians that the PDP would not field a presidential candidate. For months, these unfounded claims were deployed as a campaign tool to mislead Nigerians, discourage our supporters and create doubts about the future of our party. Today, the facts have prevailed, the law has taken its course, and the PDP has once again been vindicated."
Mohammed's remarks directly address the prolonged internal disputes and legal battles that had raised questions about whether the faction could complete its nomination process before the statutory deadline. The publication by INEC serves as official confirmation that the party has met all legal requirements.
Blow to Rival Turaki Faction
The Wike-aligned PDP described the development as a blow to the faction led by former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Tanimu Turaki. That faction had claimed last week that it submitted its candidate's name manually to INEC after failing to obtain the access code needed for electronic submission.
The Turaki faction had adopted former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate, but the Wike-aligned leadership dismissed this move as fraudulent. FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, in earlier remarks, urged reporters to check INEC's official candidate list, asserting that Jonathan was not the party's candidate.
PDP Calls for Unity Ahead of 2027
In the statement, the party expressed appreciation to members and supporters at home and in the diaspora who remained loyal through the difficult period. It also commended INEC, the judiciary, and security agencies for upholding constitutional order throughout the nomination process.
Calling for reconciliation, the party urged aggrieved members to return to its fold, emphasizing that unity is essential to reclaiming political power in 2027. The statement also welcomed back recent defectors, describing their return as a sign of renewed confidence in the party's direction.
Background: Jonathan's 2027 Ambition Disputed
Recall that Wike had earlier addressed reports that Goodluck Jonathan is running for president in 2027 under the PDP. The FCT minister dismissed the claims by the Turaki-led faction as a form of fraud, reiterating that he maintains a good relationship with Jonathan but that the official candidate list would clarify the party's position.
The publication of INEC's final list of presidential and National Assembly candidates for the 2027 general election comes amid heightened political maneuvering. The Wike-backed PDP's confirmation of Onor as its candidate ends months of uncertainty and sets the stage for a competitive race against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and other opposition parties.
