…PDP Aspirants Yet to Purchase Governorship Nomination Forms
As the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) concludes the initial deadline for the sale of its ₦40 million expression of interest and nomination forms for the upcoming Anambra governorship election, no aspirant has stepped forward to purchase them.
The PDP had originally scheduled the sale of forms from February 24 to March 5, with a submission deadline of March 7. However, internal party crises appear to have deterred potential candidates, forcing the party to extend the deadline to March 10 in a bid to attract aspirants.
Why No PDP Aspirant Has Purchased the Nomination Form
A PDP insider, who spoke to The PUNCH on condition of anonymity, revealed that ongoing leadership disputes within the party have made aspirants hesitant to invest in the platform.
“As of now, no aspirant has purchased the PDP Anambra governorship nomination forms. They are hesitant due to the party’s instability. The crisis has weakened the party’s influence across different levels, making aspirants cautious about spending such a huge sum,” the source said.
The PDP’s internal crisis has affected its state chapters, zonal structures, and even the National Working Committee (NWC), leading to uncertainty over the credibility of the April 5 governorship primary.
Also Read : Nigerian Senate Suspends Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for 6-Months
PDP’s Efforts to Revive Interest in the Governorship Election
In response to the situation, a senior party official confirmed that the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) has revised the election timetable and extended the deadline for the purchase of forms until March 10.
“The NWC is reviewing the issues, and a revised timetable will be made public before the end of the week. The deadline for purchasing forms has now been extended to March 10,” the official disclosed.
Additionally, the PDP has scheduled a stakeholders’ interactive session with the NWC at the PDP national headquarters in Abuja on March 10, where discussions will be held on resolving internal disputes and strengthening the party’s chances in Anambra.
Legal Disputes and Internal Power Struggles
The PDP’s internal crisis has deepened due to a leadership battle over the National Secretary position. Senator Samuel Anyanwu and former National Youth Leader Sunday Ude-Okoye are both claiming the role, and the dispute is currently awaiting judgment at the Supreme Court on March 10.
Furthermore, tensions escalated after the controversial South-South Zonal Congress held on February 22, which lacked the approval of PDP governors. The fallout has caused more divisions within the Board of Trustees (BoT), National Working Committee (NWC), and National Executive Committee (NEC).
PDP Leaders React to the Crisis
While acknowledging the party’s challenges, PDP National Deputy Legal Adviser Okechukwu Osuoha remains optimistic about the party’s chances in Anambra State.
“I am not surprised by the situation, but I know the National Organising Secretary has set the ball rolling for the governorship election,” Osuoha told The PUNCH.
He admitted that factional struggles and legal disputes have discouraged aspirants but emphasized that PDP remains a strong political force.
“Yes, there are unresolved issues from the congresses, but PDP has structures across the country, and these matters will be settled soon. Anambra has always been politically challenging, but things will improve,” he added.
However, PDP Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor believes that a broader disillusionment with Nigeria’s electoral system is the reason aspirants are reluctant to contest.
“People are tired of investing millions in an election process that lacks credibility. Even if you win fairly, political interference from the presidency can overturn results. That’s why many are hesitant,” Osadolor stated.
Anambra Governorship Election Scheduled for November 8, 2025
Despite the internal challenges facing the PDP, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that the Anambra State governorship election will take place on Saturday, November 8, 2025.
However, with no PDP aspirant purchasing the nomination forms yet, the party faces an uphill battle in fielding a strong candidate to challenge the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and other opposition parties in the state.
Attempts to reach PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba and the National Organising Secretary for comments were unsuccessful as they neither answered calls nor responded to messages.
What’s Next for PDP in Anambra?
With only days left before the new March 10 deadline, will any aspirant step forward to purchase the nomination form? Or will PDP struggle to remain competitive in Anambra State?
Stay tuned for more updates as the situation unfolds.
