…says ‘time must be right’
As political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said it will not be pressured into inaugurating a presidential campaign council simply because other parties have already done so.
The party said it had the sole discretion to determine when and how to organise its campaign structure, insisting that it would not copy the approach adopted by other political parties.
The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, stated this in an interview with the Nigerian Tribune amid growing activities by parties ahead of the 2027 polls.
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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) opened the window for campaign activities about three weeks ago, but the PDP is yet to announce a formal presidential campaign council or unveil its campaign programme.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), whose presidential candidate is President Bola Tinubu, has already unveiled its campaign council, while the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), which has Peter Obi as its presidential candidate, commenced campaign activities weeks ago, although an elaborate campaign council has yet to be announced.
Explaining the PDP’s position, Mohammed said the party would take decisions based on its own assessment and timing rather than respond to the activities of other political parties.
“The PDP does not take decisions simply because of what people think or say. We make decisions when it is right for us to do so and, more importantly, when the time is right.
“It is not about how early we act, but about how well we act and the outcome we achieve,” he said.
Mohammed added that the party would communicate its plans to Nigerians at the appropriate time.
“At the appropriate time, we shall speak to Nigerians,” he added.
The PDP’s position comes amid uncertainty over its direction ahead of the election, particularly following the decision of the party’s national leader and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to support Tinubu’s re-election bid.
There are also questions surrounding the future of the party’s presidential candidate, Senator Sandy Ojang Onor, with sources claiming that the National Working Committee, led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, is awaiting further directives from the party’s leadership.
A source within the party told the newspaper that little progress had been made on the campaign because of the ongoing political calculations involving Wike.
“I think the party is waiting for that critical moment for things to be sorted out.
“It may be that the PDP will downplay its own presidential interest, while fully backing Tinubu, but will contest all other offices; governors, National Assembly and so on,” the source said.
APM begins campaign Monday
Meanwhile, the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has announced the formal commencement of its 2027 presidential campaign, with its candidate, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, scheduled to inaugurate the party’s presidential campaign office in Abuja on Monday (today).
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, disclosed this, saying the Makinde/Daura Presidential Campaign Office would serve as the national coordinating hub for the campaign.
Yusuf said the campaign would be issue-based and people-driven, with emphasis on Makinde’s policy choices and record in governance.
Makinde is contesting the presidency alongside Alhaji Lawan Daura, the party’s vice-presidential candidate.
“The Makinde/Daura campaign will focus on solutions while presenting the candidate’s policy choices and proven record of governance to the electorate,” Yusuf said.
He said the APM was commencing its campaign with “confidence, humility and an unwavering commitment” to provide Nigerians with what he described as a credible alternative capable of restoring hope, security, prosperity and national pride.
According to him, the emergence of Makinde and Daura as the party’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates had triggered increased membership and support for the APM.
Yusuf attributed the development to what he described as growing confidence in the candidates’ records of integrity and public service.
He described Makinde’s candidacy as a combination of “competence, youthful energy, administrative experience and broad public acceptance” required to build a safer, prosperous, united and functional Nigeria.
The APM spokesman said Makinde had also embarked on consultations with political leaders, stakeholders and communities across the country ahead of the campaign.
He said the consultations were aimed at understanding the concerns and aspirations of Nigerians and developing a comprehensive national agenda to address the country’s challenges.
Yusuf added that the party would soon unveil a policy blueprint containing practical and measurable solutions to the problems confronting Nigerians and outlining Makinde’s vision for the country.
LP adopts ‘lethal’ campaign strategy
In the Labour Party (LP), preparations are also underway for the unveiling of its presidential campaign council, although the exact date for the launch was not immediately known.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, confirmed that preparations were ongoing and that the party would soon commence its campaign.
Asogwa said the LP would adopt a conservative but “lethal” campaign strategy aimed at securing victory in the 2027 elections.
“This campaign model will be unveiled alongside the campaign council when the fine details in the organogram are conclusively sorted,” he told the Nigerian Tribune.