The PDP kicks off vetting process for its presidential and gubernatorial hopefuls

The Peoples Democratic Party, under the leadership of Abdulraman Mohammed's National Working Committee, is poised to initiate the screening process for its presidential and governorship aspirants in the upcoming 2027 general elections.

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This development was disclosed in a statement released by the National Director of Publicity, Chinwe Nnorom, on Thursday in Abuja, on behalf of the party's National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed.

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The screening of governorship aspirants is scheduled to take place at noon on Thursday at the PDP National Secretariat Annex, Legacy House, Maitama, Abuja, while the presidential aspirants will undergo their screening at 2 p.m. at the same venue.

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According to the statement, the committee responsible for screening presidential aspirants will be chaired by former Abia governor Okezie Ikpeazu, with Hassan Sokodobo serving as secretary, and will include members such as Alhaji Abba Isawa, Sen. George Sekibo, Sodipo Semiu, Mrs Chinelo Chidebelu, Nasiru Mohammed, Sen. Zainab Kure, and Lindsey Sora.

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The chairman of the governorship aspirants' screening committee is a former governor of Kaduna State, Ahmed Makarfi, with George Ariolu as secretary, and the committee will comprise other members including 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.

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The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Tanimu Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee of the PDP extended the deadline for purchasing nomination and expression of interest forms for the 2027 general elections on Wednesday.

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The interim NWC, in a public notice jointly signed by National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong and National Organising Secretary Theophilus Shan, extended the purchase of forms for all offices to May 15 and the final date for returning completed forms to May 18, with the screening of aspirants scheduled for May 19.

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The decision to extend the deadlines was made in response to appeals from various stakeholders and aspirants across the federation, according to the interim NWC.

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The interim NWC also stated that aspirants for National and State Assembly positions will be screened in their respective states, while those vying for governorship and presidential positions will undergo screening in Abuja, with all other previously announced activities remaining unchanged.