Enugu PDP Crisis Deepens as Nnamani Insists He Is Authentic Governorship Candidate Amid Factional Dispute

The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State has escalated as Samson Chukwu Nnamani on Friday declared himself the authentic governorship candidate of the party for the 2027 general elections, amid conflicting claims over the outcome of the party’s primaries.

Addressing a press conference in Enugu, Nnamani insisted that both the governorship primary allegedly supervised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and a Supreme Court judgment recognising the Abdulrahman Mihammed-led faction of the PDP validate his claim to the ticket.

He maintained that the party was no longer factionalised, citing what he described as INEC’s recognition of the Abdulrahman-led leadership, and argued that the panel that declared him winner was duly constituted from Abuja.

According to him, “the PDP is no longer divided,” urging party members and residents of the state to disregard other aspirants laying claim to the governorship ticket.

The development comes amid competing claims within the party, with multiple aspirants emerging from different parallel primaries conducted in the state ahead of the 2027 elections.

Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, and Dona Nwogbo are among those who have also been associated with separate governorship primaries in the state, further deepening internal divisions.

Nnamani, however, dismissed the legitimacy of rival claims, particularly questioning Nnaji’s membership of the PDP, alleging that there is no evidence he formally joined the party from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“He is a mole hired to truncate the rebuilding efforts of PDP members in the state. He cannot just sneak into a party through the backdoor,” Nnamani said.

He also dismissed reports suggesting that he was suspended from the party prior to the primary election, describing such claims as baseless and inconsistent with the fact that he participated and secured votes in the exercise.

Nnamani further expressed confidence in his emergence, insisting that the primary held on Sunday, May 24, 2026, was legitimate and widely supported by party stakeholders.

He pledged that, if elected governor in 2027, he would focus on infrastructure development, job creation, youth empowerment, improved education, healthcare delivery, and enhanced security across Enugu State.

“As the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Enugu State, I remain committed to the ideals of good governance, inclusive leadership, and economic development for all residents,” he said.

The ongoing dispute underscores deepening tensions within the PDP in Enugu State, as rival factions continue to contest the authenticity of the party’s governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 elections.