2027: Wike and Makinde Factions Consider APC ADC as PDP Faces Ticket Uncertainty

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Factions loyal to Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have intensified consultations on securing alternative political platforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to sources quoted by Punch, both camps are evaluating the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as potential fallback options for their candidates.

These moves are reportedly driven by concerns that the PDP may be unable to present candidates for the 2027 polls due to ongoing legal battles over the legitimacy of its two competing national leaderships.

Tension escalated after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) rejected the party’s governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Wole Oluyede, ahead of the June 20, 2026 election.

Oluyede had emerged from a primary conducted by the Taminu Turaki-led National Working Committee—aligned with Governors Makinde, Bala Mohammed, Dauda Lawal, and Ahmadu Fintiri.

The Turaki-led NWC was produced at the PDP’s November 2025 convention in Ibadan. Meanwhile, the faction backed by Wike did not conduct any primary for the Ekiti election, with both sides insisting they control the party.

INEC has repeatedly maintained that the PDP must settle its internal dispute before the commission can recognise its candidates.

Sunday Punch learned that with unresolved leadership issues, multiple court cases, and INEC’s firm stance in Ekiti, both factions are now actively considering political alternatives outside the PDP.

A member of the Turaki-led NWC, who asked not to be named, confirmed that discussions with the ADC were already underway.

He explained that the lingering crisis could prevent the PDP from presenting candidates in 2027, noting that INEC had made its position unmistakably clear.

Speaking on Saturday, he said:
“With what INEC has done to our candidate in Ekiti, we should stop deceiving ourselves; the possibility of having candidates for the 2027 elections is very low.

“We are already taking steps so that, even if some of us remain in the PDP, our aspirants will still have platforms—especially the ADC—to contest under.”

He further warned that the PDP might not even be able to field a presidential candidate.
“Yes, we have the structure, but with the situation we are in, we cannot go far. That’s why discussions with ADC leaders have started. We cannot afford to be left stranded.”

The chieftain added that alliance talks with the ADC would soon produce a “clear framework.”

An ADC senior official confirmed to Sunday Punch that PDP representatives from the Turaki faction had initiated contact and expressed willingness to collaborate.

However, he stressed that no final agreements had been reached, noting that discussions were still “preliminary.”

He said, “It is early. Nothing concrete has been decided.”

ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi, when asked, responded:
“We welcome every Nigerian who wants to be part of the rescue mission.”

Meanwhile, Timothy Osadolor of the Wike-aligned faction said he doubted the PDP could perform well in 2027—even if it managed to produce a presidential candidate.

He argued that the PDP must align with a stronger opposition platform to remain competitive.

Osadolor blamed the crisis on what he called the governors’ “arrogance.”

He said:
“The convention some governors rushed to hold in Ibadan has led nowhere. The other faction has proved it is ready to stand its ground.

“For me, 2027 is already lost for the PDP. Anyone expecting victory on the PDP platform must either be Jesus Christ or more popular than Coca-Cola, because the damage done is too deep.”

He insisted that contesting the election alone would be “like searching for a needle in a haystack.”

Osadolor suggested that the best strategy would be to support an alternative platform capable of producing a strong candidate to challenge President Bola Tinubu.

However, he dismissed the APC as an option.

“APC is not a platform. Anyone backing it is endorsing hunger, hopelessness and frustration. The ADC, however, is showing readiness to compete for power, and with proper coordination, it could build a credible opposition force.”

He concluded that only a united front could mount a serious challenge in 2027.