By Christiana Ekpa
The lingering leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a dramatic turn on Wednesday as two rival factions of the party separately presented Certificates of Return to different governorship candidates for the 2027 Benue State election.
The development has further exposed the deep divisions within the opposition party, with both camps laying claim to the authority to conduct primaries and nominate candidates.
At the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja, the faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, presented a Certificate of Return to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Michael Aondoakaa (SAN), declaring him its governorship candidate for Benue State.
Accompanied by his running mate, Dr. Oyije Ochaekiti Ogbenjuwa, and several party stakeholders from Benue, Aondoakaa pledged to unite the party and lead it to victory in the next governorship election. He expressed gratitude to party members and leaders for entrusting him with the ticket.
However, in a competing exercise, the faction led by former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), recognised Dr. Emmanuel Agbo, Director-General of the PDP Governors’ Forum, as its governorship candidate and also handed him a Certificate of Return following a separate primary election.
The emergence of parallel candidates underscores the growing struggle for control of the PDP’s structure ahead of the 2027 polls.
Both factions insist that their processes were legitimate, setting the stage for a potentially prolonged battle over the party’s authentic candidate in Benue State.
With Aondoakaa and Agbo now claiming the PDP ticket through different party structures, attention is increasingly turning to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which will ultimately determine whose nomination complies with electoral requirements when the final list of candidates is released.
The latest development reflects the broader leadership dispute that has fractured the PDP nationally, raising concerns about the party’s ability to present a united front ahead of the 2027 general elections.
