2027: Wike-Backed PDP Sets Presidential Form at ₦51m

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has pegged its presidential nomination and expression of interest forms at ₦51 million, while governorship forms have been fixed at ₦21 million ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The faction’s National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, disclosed this in a timetable released to journalists on Wednesday.

According to the schedule, the group is expected to submit its membership register to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on April 21, 2026, and formally notify the commission of its primaries on April 22.

The timetable indicates that the expression of interest form for all positions costs ₦1 million, while nomination fees differ by office. Aspirants for State Houses of Assembly are to pay ₦2 million, House of Representatives ₦3 million, Senate ₦5 million, governorship ₦20 million, and presidential aspirants ₦50 million.

Sales of forms will commence on April 27 and close on May 4, with the deadline for submission of completed forms set for May 9.

Screening for State Houses of Assembly, National Assembly, and governorship aspirants is scheduled for May 11, while presidential aspirants will be screened on May 12.

The presidential primary is slated for May 18, while governorship primaries will take place on May 27. House of Representatives primaries are fixed for May 21, Senate primaries for May 23, and State Houses of Assembly primaries will hold between May 21 and May 24. Appeals arising from the exercises are expected to be concluded by May 30, 2026.

Bature also noted that female aspirants would only be required to pay the expression of interest fee for their respective positions.

The PDP remains embroiled in an internal crisis, which has split the party into two factions—one led by Tanimu Turaki and backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, and another led by Abdulrahman Mohammed with the support of Wike.

Several legal disputes arising from the factional divide are currently before the courts. At the Supreme Court of Nigeria on Wednesday, justices indicated that a date for judgment would be communicated to the parties