The Peoples Democratic Party has rejected claims that it may be unable to participate in the 2027 general election due to internal litigations, particularly those connected to the post-Ibadan convention.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, described the reports as baseless, accusing mischief makers of attempting to damage the image of the opposition party.
In an interview with LEADERSHIP Weekend, Ememobong said there is no legal or institutional barrier preventing the PDP from fielding candidates in the 2027 general election.
“I do not know where this rumour is coming from because, as far as I know, there has been no hindrance to our participation in the 2027 election,” he said.
He cited the party’s recent engagements with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as evidence of its continued legal recognition, noting that the PDP had successfully submitted its candidates for the Abuja Area Councils election, which were subsequently validated by the electoral body.
“We have submitted the names of our candidates for the Abuja local council election, and INEC has rectified them,” he stated.
Ememobong further clarified issues surrounding the removal of the PDP’s governorship candidate in Ekiti State, explaining that the development stemmed from litigation over the conduct of the party’s primary election rather than any challenge to the PDP’s right to present candidates.
He added that the matter is currently before the Court of Appeal, with the affected candidate awaiting the outcome of the judicial process.
It will be recalled that a Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti nullified the PDP governorship primary that produced Dr Wole Oluyede as the party’s candidate. The court ruled that the exercise did not comply with the PDP constitution and provisions of the Electoral Act.
The court specifically held that the party failed to submit an original and authentic list of statutory and ad hoc delegates as required by law, and consequently ordered the PDP to conduct a fresh governorship primary election involving all qualified aspirants.
