The Peoples Democratic Party has announced the commencement of screening for its presidential and governorship aspirants ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The exercise is being coordinated by the Abdulraman Mohammed-led National Working Committee of the party.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by the party’s National Director of Publicity, Chinwe Nnorom, on behalf of the National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed.
According to the statement, the screening of governorship aspirants will begin at noon at the PDP National Secretariat Annex, Legacy House, while the presidential aspirants’ screening is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the same venue.
The presidential screening committee will be chaired by former Okezie Ikpeazu, with Hassan Sokodobo serving as secretary.
Other members of the committee include Abba Isawa, George Sekibo, Sodipo Semiu, Chinelo Chidebelu, Nasiru Mohammed, Zainab Kure and Lindsey Sora.
For the governorship aspirants, the screening committee will be chaired by former Kaduna State governor Ahmed Makarfi, while George Ariolu will serve as secretary.
Other committee members are Ibrahim Umar, Aisha Madawaki, Tajudeen Yusuf, Abdulganiyu Oloyin, Babangida Modibbo, Buba Biri, Olaniyi Ogungbuji, Mike Ahumibe, Gabriel Igboko, Tony Effiong and Precious Ojelabi.
The development follows an earlier decision by the PDP Interim National Working Committee, led by Tanimu Turaki, to extend the deadline for the purchase of nomination and expression of interest forms.
In a notice jointly signed by National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong and National Organising Secretary Theophilus Shan, the deadline for purchasing forms for all elective offices was extended to May 15.
The party also shifted the final date for submission of completed forms to May 18, while screening is expected to conclude on May 19.
According to the interim committee, the extension followed appeals from stakeholders and aspirants across the federation.
It added that while aspirants for National and State Assembly seats would be screened in their respective states, governorship and presidential hopefuls would undergo the process in Abuja.
The PDP said all other activities on its electoral timetable remain unchanged.
What You Should Know
The screening of aspirants is a critical stage in the PDP’s preparations for the 2027 general elections as it seeks to reposition itself after internal leadership struggles and electoral setbacks.
The process is expected to determine which aspirants meet constitutional and party requirements to contest under its platform. The extension of nomination deadlines suggests strong interest from party members, while also reflecting ongoing consultations within the party.
Political observers believe the exercise could shape the PDP’s ability to present a united front and mount a serious challenge in the 2027 elections.
