Wike-Backed PDP Celebrates Senate President's Victory as INEC Publishes Name

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), backed by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, has finally put the months of speculation over its participation in the 2027 presidential election to rest. On Monday, August 3, 2026, the INEC published the final list of presidential and National Assembly candidates, and the PDP presidential candidate, Senator Sandy Onor, and his running mate, Babangida Umar, were among those whose names were included.

According to the party, the inclusion of its presidential candidates on the INEC list has effectively laid to rest the sustained misinformation and propaganda by those who desperately sought to convince Nigerians that the PDP would not field a presidential candidate. For months, the opposition party has been engulfed in internal leadership disputes and legal battles, fueling speculation over its ability to conclude its nomination process before the statutory deadline.

The PDP has expressed appreciation to its members and supporters across the country and in the diaspora for their steadfastness during this challenging period. It has also commended INEC, the judiciary, and security agencies for their commitment to the rule of law and constitutional order.

Reaffirming its commitment to reconciliation, the party appealed to aggrieved members to return, saying unity remained essential to reclaiming political power. It also welcomed returning members and recent defectors, describing their decision as evidence of renewed confidence in the PDP's vision and leadership.

The PDP also welcomed returning members and recent defectors, describing their decision as evidence of renewed confidence in the PDP's vision and leadership. The opposition party expressed appreciation to its members and supporters across the country and in the diaspora for remaining steadfast during what it described as a challenging period.

The party also commended INEC, the judiciary, and security agencies for what it described as their commitment to the rule of law and constitutional order. The inclusion of Senator Onor's name on the list has marked the end of months of speculation over the party's participation in the election.

The PDP has been in a leadership dispute for months, with the Wike-backed faction and the faction led by former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Tanimu Turaki, at odds over the party's direction. The faction led by Turaki had adopted former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate, but the INEC has only recognized Senator Onor as the PDP's presidential candidate.

According to the party, the publication of the names of its presidential candidates on the INEC list has vindicated its leadership after months of claims that internal disputes would prevent it from fielding candidates for the election. The statement read in part: 'Of particular significance is the publication of the names of our presidential candidate, Distinguished Senator Sandy Ojang Onor, and his running mate, Alhaji Babangida Umar, who will proudly fly the flag of our great party in the 2027 presidential election.'

The party also commended the judiciary for upholding the PDP's leadership and ensuring that the party's nomination process was concluded on schedule. It also thanked the security agencies for their commitment to maintaining peace and order during the election process.

The PDP also welcomed the opportunity to continue its campaign and promised to continue to work tirelessly to win the election. It also appealed to its supporters to remain resolute and committed to the party's vision and leadership.

However, the faction led by Tanimu Turaki has vowed to challenge the INEC's decision in court. Last week, the faction claimed it manually submitted the name of its presidential candidate to the electoral commission because it did not secure the access code required for electronic submission. The PDP has dismissed the faction's claim, saying it was a clear case of desperation and an attempt to undermine the party's leadership.

The PDP also expressed confidence in its ability to win the election, saying it had the support of Nigerians across the country. It also promised to continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the party's vision and leadership were realized.

The party also commended its supporters for their contributions to the party's growth and development. It also vowed to continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the party remained a strong and viable force in Nigerian politics.

The PDP also welcomed the support of its allies and partners in the election. It also thanked the international community for its continued support to the party and its leadership. The PDP also expressed confidence in its ability to win the election and become the next government of Nigeria.

The PDP also promised to continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the party's vision and leadership were realized. It also vowed to continue to work to ensure that the party remained a strong and viable force in Nigerian politics.

The PDP also commended its supporters for their contributions to the party's growth and development. It also thanked the international community for its continued support to the party and its leadership.

The PDP also expressed confidence in its ability to win the election and become the next government of Nigeria. It also promised to continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the party's vision and leadership were realized.

The PDP also welcomed the support of its allies and partners in the election. It also vowed to continue to work to ensure that the party remained a strong and viable force in Nigerian politics.

### Background

The PDP has been in a leadership dispute for months, with the Wike-backed faction and the faction led by former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Tanimu Turaki, at odds over the party's direction. The faction led by Turaki had adopted former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate, but the INEC has only recognized Senator Onor as the PDP's presidential candidate.

The dispute has been ongoing for months, with both factions claiming to be the legitimate leadership of the party. However, the Wike-backed faction has been the one that has been recognized by the INEC as the PDP's leadership.

In recent months, the PDP has been in internal leadership disputes and legal battles, fueling speculation over its ability to conclude its nomination process before the statutory deadline. However, the publication of Senator Onor's name on the list has marked the end of months of speculation over the party's participation in the election.

### Nigerian Connection

The PDP has been one of the dominant parties in Nigerian politics for decades, and its victory in the 2027 general election would be a significant milestone for the party. The PDP's presidential candidate, Senator Onor, is a Nigerian senator who has been a member of the party for many years.

The PDP's leadership dispute has been a major issue in Nigerian politics for months, and the publication of Senator Onor's name on the INEC list has brought an end to the speculation over the party's participation in the election. The party's victory in the election would be a significant milestone for the PDP and would cement its position as one of the dominant parties in Nigerian politics.

The PDP has expressed confidence in its ability to win the election and become the next government of Nigeria. It has also vowed to continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the party's vision and leadership were realized.

The PDP has welcomed the support of its allies and partners in the election. It has also thanked the international community for its continued support to the party and its leadership.

### What's Next

The PDP will continue to work tirelessly to win the election and become the next government of Nigeria. It will also continue to work to ensure that the party remains a strong and viable force in Nigerian politics.

The party will also continue to work to ensure that its vision and leadership are realized. It will also continue to work to ensure that its supporters are satisfied with the party's performance.

The PDP will also continue to work to ensure that its allies and partners are satisfied with the party's performance. It will also continue to work to ensure that the international community is satisfied with the party's performance.

The PDP has expressed confidence in its ability to win the election and become the next government of Nigeria. It has also vowed to continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the party's vision and leadership were realized.

### Context

The PDP has been one of the dominant parties in Nigerian politics for decades, and its victory in the 2027 general election would be a significant milestone for the party. The PDP's presidential candidate, Senator Onor, is a Nigerian senator who has been a member of the party for many years.

The PDP's leadership dispute has been a major issue in Nigerian politics for months, and the publication of Senator Onor's name on the INEC list has brought an end to the speculation over the party's participation in the election. The party's victory in the election would be a significant milestone for the PDP and would cement its position as one of the dominant parties in Nigerian politics.

The PDP has expressed confidence in its ability to win the election and become the next government of Nigeria. It has also vowed to continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the party's vision and leadership were realized.

The PDP has welcomed the support of its allies and partners in the election. It has also thanked the international community for its continued support to the party and its leadership.