The battle for control of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2027 general elections has intensified across various states, marking a crucial shift in strategy as the party gears up for congresses in 20 states. Scheduled for August 31, these congresses are set to take place in states such as Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Rivers, Kano, Kastina, Benue, Kaduna, and Plateau, among others.
According to documents from the PDP national secretariat, ward and local government congresses will precede these events on July 27 and August 10, respectively. The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the PDP is expected to convene on September 26 to finalize the election of state executives and potentially decide on the national chairman.
Ahead of these congresses, key figures within the PDP have redirected their focus to state-level politics, highlighting significant internal tensions. Reports indicate ongoing crises in 12 state chapters, including Kano, Kastina, Rivers, Edo, Ebonyi, Ogun, Plateau, Niger, Cross River, and the South East, as factions vie for control of party structures in anticipation of the 2027 polls.
Following the 2023 general elections, factions aligned with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike have intensified their efforts to influence the party’s leadership. The competition has notably centered on the position of the national chairman, which was deferred for decision at a subsequent NEC meeting in 2024.
Recent maneuvers by caretaker committees to mandate party members to revalidate their memberships ahead of the congresses sparked controversy. The National Working Committee (NWC) clarified that such revalidation was unnecessary for existing members, countering what appeared to be a strategic move to manipulate membership rolls in favor of certain factions.
A source within the PDP described these actions as part of a broader power struggle, aimed at marginalizing rivals within the party. The directive was seen as an attempt to influence the composition of delegates eligible to participate in the upcoming congresses.
In states like Ebonyi and Edo, internal disputes have escalated as influential party leaders vie for dominance. In Ebonyi, the battle revolves around control of the party machinery ahead of critical local elections. Similarly, in Edo, clashes between Governor Godwin Obaseki’s camp and the Legacy Group, led by Chief Dan Orbih, illustrate the high stakes involved in these internal power struggles.
As tensions heighten across these states, PDP members anticipate that the outcome of these congresses will ultimately shape the future trajectory of the party. The contests reflect not only a struggle for immediate control but also a broader effort to position the PDP favorably for electoral success in 2027.
