The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing a major dilemma as no aspirant has purchased the party’s nomination forms ahead of the November 8, 2025, governorship election in Anambra State.
The PDP had scheduled the sale of nomination forms from February 24 to March 5, with March 7 set as the deadline for submission. The party’s governorship primary is slated for April 5, followed by an appeal committee sitting on April 8.
However, Premium Times has learned that, as of Thursday, no aspirant had purchased the forms—a situation that insiders attribute to the deepening leadership crisis within the party, particularly at the national level.
Leadership Crisis Sparks Uncertainty
Party sources revealed that many aspirants backed out of the race due to internal conflicts and divisions among PDP leaders.
“The people who are supposed to be mobilizing for the party’s success are too busy fighting each other,” a source close to an aspirant disclosed.
The source questioned the wisdom of investing N40 million—the cost of the expression of interest and nomination forms—into a party struggling with leadership battles.
For context, ahead of the 2021 governorship election, the PDP set the cost of its nomination forms at N26 million, with female aspirants paying only N3 million.
INEC Warns Against Sudden Changes
Amid the PDP’s internal struggles, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) issued a warning to political parties against last-minute changes to their primary schedules.
INEC stated that 12 out of 19 registered parties had submitted their primary schedules in compliance with Section 84 of the Electoral Act 2022. The remaining seven parties were urged to do so immediately.
INEC reaffirmed that party primaries must hold between March 20 and April 10 as scheduled.
PDP Denies Lack of Interest, Extends Deadline
Despite reports that no aspirant had purchased the nomination forms, PDP Anambra State Chairman, Chidi Chidebe, denied the claims, insisting that some aspirants had indeed picked up forms from the party’s headquarters in Abuja.
“I can tell you it is not true that nobody has purchased our governorship forms,” Chidebe said. “I am aware some have, but I will not start mentioning names because they are still aspirants, not candidates yet.”
Chidebe also confirmed that the party had extended the deadline for purchasing forms to March 12.
PDP’s Internal Battles Deepen
The PDP’s ongoing leadership crisis appears to be a major factor in the Anambra situation. The party has been embroiled in multiple internal conflicts, including the recent expulsion of Board of Trustees Chairperson Adolphus Wabara.
His removal is widely seen as part of the ongoing power struggle between Wabara and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
Additionally, a legal battle is raging over the position of PDP National Secretary. The dispute between Samuel Anyanwu and former PDP National Youth Leader, Sunday Ude-Okoye, is currently pending in court, with a Supreme Court hearing scheduled for March 10.
What Lies Ahead for PDP?
With its primaries fast approaching and unresolved leadership conflicts threatening stability, the PDP faces an uphill battle in Anambra. If aspirants continue to withhold their participation, the party risks losing ground to its political rivals.
Whether the extension of the nomination form deadline will encourage more aspirants to join the race remains uncertain. However, what is clear is that unless the PDP resolves its internal crisis, its chances of mounting a strong challenge in Anambra may be significantly weakened.
Credit: New Telegraph except headline
