The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is yet to sell any of its nomination and expression of interest forms for the upcoming Anambra governorship election, more than a week after it announced the commencement of the sale.
As of press time, no aspirant has stepped forward to purchase the forms, which are priced at N40 million.
Unlike in past elections, where aspirants rushed to the PDP national headquarters in Abuja to secure their nomination, this year’s process has been met with surprising disinterest.
Many party members have linked this development to the ongoing leadership crisis within the PDP, particularly the unresolved battle over the position of the national secretary. The office of the national secretary plays a crucial role in party affairs, including overseeing the sale of nomination forms.
However, with the dispute still pending before the Supreme Court, some party insiders believe that aspirants may be hesitant to enter the race until the issue is resolved.
The PDP had earlier announced that the sale of forms would run from Monday, February 24, to Wednesday, March 5, with a submission deadline set for Friday, March 7, 2025. However, as the deadline approaches, the lack of interest from aspirants continues to raise questions about the party’s strength and readiness for the governorship election, scheduled for November 8, 2025.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has already completed its nomination process. The party closed the sale and submission of forms on Thursday last week, attracting seven aspirants who collectively paid N350 million, with each purchasing forms at N50 million.
Reacting to the situation, Timothy Osadolor, the PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, dismissed concerns, insisting that the party remains strong in Anambra and that the primary election is still weeks away.
He said: “The PDP in Anambra is very strong and viable. Primary is still a month plus away. No party is not interested in producing the governor of a very important state like Anambra.
“Serious politicians know for a fact that only a platform like the PDP has the spread and character to do elections in tough climes as we are in now currently under President Tinubu.
“We are noticing apathy in the process in Anambra already, after the shameful excuse of an election that INEC conducted in Edo and Ondo and the role in Rivers and Osun local government elections.
“Nigerians are further convinced that this government does not mean well for democracy. Nigerians are seeing through the fraud called INEC already. I will not be surprised if 2027 election is boycotted by major opposition parties unless we have electoral reforms.”