Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, has suggested that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) might not present a presidential candidate in 2027.
Olayinka based his remarks on the ongoing crisis over the party’s National Secretary position, which has seen a face-off between Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye, despite a Supreme Court ruling.
The tussle began when Anyanwu vacated the position to contest the 2023 Imo governorship election, during which the Southeast PDP caucus endorsed Ude-Okoye as replacement. After losing the election, Anyanwu returned to reclaim the post, prompting Ude-Okoye to seek legal redress.
Though a High Court sacked Anyanwu, a March 2025 Supreme Court verdict only deepened the division.
Posting on X, Olayinka argued that the PDP constitution and court ruling affirm Anyanwu’s legitimacy since he has neither resigned nor died. He warned the ongoing power struggle could prevent the party from fielding candidates up to 2027.
He wrote:
“Like I said four months ago, PDP may not field any candidate now, 2026 and 2027.”
