By Sandra Ugwu

The Peoples Democratic Party faction under the leadership of Nyesom Wike has begun the screening process for presidential and governorship aspirants seeking to contest in the 2027 general elections.

The development was announced in a statement released 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 exercise for governorship aspirants will take place at noon on Thursday at the PDP National Secretariat Annex, Legacy House, Maitama, Abuja. The screening for presidential aspirants is expected to commence at 2 p.m. at the same venue.

Former Okezie Ikpeazu will chair the presidential screening committee, while Hassan Sokodobo will serve as secretary. Other members of the panel include Alhaji Abba Isawa, Senator George Sekibo, Sodipo Semiu, Mrs Chinelo Chidebelu, Nasiru Mohammed, Senator Zainab Kure and Lindsey Sora.

The governorship screening committee will be headed by former Ahmed Makarfi, with George Ariolu serving as secretary.

Members of the governorship panel also include Dr Ibrahim Umar, Prof. Aisha Madawaki, Tajudeen Yusuf, Dr Abdulganiyu Oloyin, Babangida Modibbo, Alhaji Buba Biri, Olaniyi Ogungbuji, Mike Ahumibe, Gabriel Igboko, Pastor Tony Effiong and Mrs Precious Ojelabi.

Meanwhile, the News Agency of Nigeria reported that the Tanimu Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee of the PDP recently extended the deadline for the purchase of nomination and expression of interest forms for the 2027 elections.

In a notice jointly signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, and the National Organising Secretary, Theophilus Shan, the interim NWC announced that the sale of forms for all elective positions had been extended to May 15.

The committee also moved the deadline for the submission of completed forms to May 18, while the screening of aspirants is slated for May 19.

The interim leadership explained that the extension followed appeals from stakeholders and aspirants across the country.
It further clarified that aspirants contesting National and State Assembly seats would be screened in their respective states, while governorship and presidential hopefuls would be screened in Abuja.

The party added that all other activities on its timetable remain unchanged.