The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed claims that it may not take part in the 2027 general elections, describing the reports as false and misleading.
The clarification comes amid internal litigations linked to the party’s post-Ibadan national convention.
These disputes had triggered speculation that the PDP could be legally barred from fielding candidates in the next general polls.
Reacting to the reports, the PDP said there is no truth in the claim. The party insisted that it remains fully qualified and prepared to contest the 2027 elections across the country.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, said the rumours were deliberately circulated to damage the party’s image. He explained that no court decision or internal process has stopped the PDP from participating in any election.
According to him, there is no legal or institutional barrier against the party.
“I do not know where this rumour is coming from because, as far as I know, there has been no hindrance to our participation in the 2027 election,” he said.
Ememobong pointed to recent electoral activities as evidence of the party’s standing. He noted that the PDP recently submitted the names of its candidates for the Abuja Area Councils election.
He added that the submissions were accepted and validated by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“We have submitted the names of our candidates for the Abuja local council election, and INEC has rectified them,” he stated.
He said this development clearly shows that the PDP is recognised by the electoral body and remains in good legal standing.
Ememobong also addressed concerns over the removal of the PDP’s governorship candidate in Ekiti State. He explained that the issue had nothing to do with the party’s eligibility to contest elections.
According to him, the development was strictly the result of a legal dispute arising from the conduct of the party’s governorship primary election in the state.
He said the matter is currently before the Court of Appeal. He added that the affected candidate is awaiting the outcome of the legal process.
The dispute followed a judgment delivered by a Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti. The court nullified the PDP governorship primary that produced Dr. Wole Oluyede as the party’s candidate.
The court ruled that the primary election failed to comply with the PDP constitution and the provisions of the Electoral Act. It held that the party did not submit an original and authentic list of statutory and ad hoc delegates as required by law.
Based on this, the court ordered the PDP to conduct a fresh governorship primary election. It also directed that all eligible aspirants must be allowed to participate in the new exercise.
The PDP has maintained that the Ekiti case does not affect its overall ability to field candidates nationwide.