ABUJA, Nigeria (FN) — The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has concluded governorship primaries across several states, producing a slate of candidates who will carry the party’s flag into the 2027 general elections. The contests, held Sunday, were marked by consensus deals, delegate votes, and moments of tension that underscored both the party’s internal dynamics and the stakes ahead.
In Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu, a former federal lawmaker and the PDP’s candidate in the 2023 election, was affirmed by delegates through a voice vote in Abeokuta. Adebutu, who lost in 2023 under what he described as “manipulation,” told supporters that the party was determined to “send the APC packing” in 2027. His emergence sets up a rematch against the All Progressives Congress candidate, Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi.
In Katsina, Senator Yakubu Lado secured 77,013 votes in a primary described as peaceful and transparent. He will face incumbent Governor Dikko Radda of the APC. In Jigawa, Mustapha Sule Lamido, son of former governor Sule Lamido, was affirmed unopposed. Lamido, who also contested in 2023, pledged to “rebuild Jigawa into a state that works for all,” framing his candidacy as a collective mission rather than personal ambition.
Adamawa delegates endorsed Maurice Vunobolki, while in Lagos, former PDP chairman Adedeji Doherty was adopted as the consensus candidate. Doherty promised inclusive governance and vowed to build “a prosperous Lagos that works for all residents.” In Oyo, former deputy governor Hazeem Gbolarumi emerged with 3,615 votes, defeating Beulah Adeoye.
Benue’s candidate, former Attorney General of the Federation Michael Aondoakaa (SAN), unveiled Dr. Oyije Ogbenjuwa, 38, as his running mate, stressing youth inclusion and pledging to prioritize security. In Gombe, however, controversy erupted as aspirants rejected alleged attempts to include former APC contender Isa Pantami in the PDP process, warning of legal disputes.
The primaries drew attention not only for the candidates who emerged but also for the broader political context. Nigeria’s opposition parties have struggled to consolidate after the 2023 elections, and the PDP’s choices reflect a mix of familiar faces and new entrants. Analysts note that consensus candidacies, such as those in Lagos and Jigawa, signal efforts to avoid internal fractures that have historically weakened the party.
Reactions poured in across social media, with many PDP supporters celebrating Adebutu’s return in Ogun and Lamido’s affirmation in Jigawa. Critics, however, questioned whether recycling past candidates signals a lack of fresh vision. “We need new ideas, not old faces,” one user wrote, while another argued that “experience matters more than novelty in Nigerian politics.”
Policy makers and opinion leaders weighed in as well. Former Ekiti governor Ayodele Fayose praised Adebutu as “a political leader who has all it takes to take the state to greater heights.” Civil society groups urged the PDP to focus on internal democracy and transparency, warning that consensus deals must not silence dissenting voices.
The primaries highlight the PDP’s attempt to position itself as a credible alternative to the ruling APC ahead of 2027. With candidates now in place, the party faces the challenge of uniting its factions, addressing voter concerns over governance, and convincing Nigerians that it can deliver where the ruling party has struggled.
