ABUJA, NIGERIA – Senator Sandy Onor has officially become the first aspirant to obtain the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential nomination forms for the 2027 general elections. Onor, a core ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, picked up the documents at the party’s National Secretariat on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
The move marks a strategic entry into the race by the Wike-led faction of the PDP. This group has pegged the cost of the presidential expression of interest and nomination forms at ₦51 million, signaling their intent to be on the ballot despite ongoing internal party fractures.
The “No Threat” Strategy
While the purchase of forms signals a formal presidential bid, political observers are closely watching the underlying strategy of the Wike-backed coalition. Minister Wike has been consistent in his support for President Bola Tinubu, reportedly agreeing to present a candidate who will fulfill the party’s requirements without posing a realistic threat to the President’s re-election chances.
This approach is viewed as a way for Wike to maintain his influence within the PDP while upholding his loyalty to the Tinubu administration. By fielding a candidate like Onor, the faction ensures the party remains active on the ballot while avoiding a direct confrontation with the Presidency.
Transition Timelines
The window for purchasing forms is scheduled to close on Monday, May 4, 2026. Onor and any other potential aspirants from this faction are slated for screening on May 12, with the presidential primary fixed for May 17 and 18.
Meanwhile, the PDP has called for its 103rd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on May 4 to address the deepening divide and the legitimacy of the current primary schedule. Senator Onor, the party’s 2023 governorship candidate in Cross River, remains at the center of this high-stakes maneuvering between the Wike group and the national party leadership.
