The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has confirmed the successful uploading of the names of its presidential candidate and the candidates for National Assembly positions to the portal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2027 polls.
The electoral umpire had earlier set July 11 as the deadline for political parties to complete the exercise, though it later extended it to Tuesday, July 14.
INEC bowed to pressure from political parties seeking the extension to allow them more room.
However, the PDP disclosed on Sunday that it met the July 11 deadline despite the extension granted by INEC.
TRIBUNE reports that the NWC, which is chaired by Honourable Abdulrahman Mohammed, described the completion of the exercise on Sunday as “another milestone.”
“I am pleased to inform all PDP members and Nigerians that our great Party, under my leadership, has successfully uploaded the names of our Presidential Candidate, his Running Mate, and our National Assembly candidates onto the INEC Candidate Nomination Portal”, Mohammed stated on Sunday.
He explained that it demonstrated the commitment of the PDP to contest the 2027 polls, adding that the party was now looking forward to also concluding the uploading of nominations for governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.
“This is a clear demonstration of our commitment to the promise we made that, under my leadership, the PDP will fully participate in the 2027 General Elections.
“Today, we have taken another decisive step towards fulfilling that promise”, he noted.
“As we await the conclusion of the upload of our Governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates, I, on behalf of the National Working Committee of our Party, extend my heartfelt congratulations to all PDP members across Nigeria and around the world.
“Together, we will continue to build a stronger, more united Party and a better future for our nation.”
The Nigerian Tribune had reported on Friday that the PDP and the Labour Party (LP) were in a race to meet the deadline, 48 hours to the initial July 11 deadline.
As of Wednesday, the LP had uploaded “90 per cent” of the candidates for the National Assembly offices and the lone presidential position, while the PDP gave assurances to achieve “full compliance” by the deadline.
Investigations showed that the LP certified about 1,211 candidates to contest offices in the 2027 elections, covering 99 senatorial candidates (of 109 seats), 307 House of Representatives candidates (of 360 seats), and 776 State House of Assembly candidates (of 993 seats).
The PDP is also contesting all the available positions across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in addition to the presidency.
The two political parties had told the newspaper that the exercise had been smooth-sailing so far and devoid of controversy and allegations of substitution of the names of winners by party officials.
“I can confirm to you that everything has been smooth so far. As of three days ago, we were doing 80% and on 8th, yesterday, we concluded 100% in compliance with uploading the names for the President and the National Assembly candidates.
“As for meeting the deadline, surely we will meet it”, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, informed the Nigerian Tribune.
The National Publicity Secretary of the LP, Mr Ken Asogwa, also confirmed that the party did not face hitches in uploading the names of candidates.