As the Peoples Democratic Party closes the sale of its N40m expression of interest and nomination forms for the upcoming Anambra governorship election, no aspirant has stepped forward to purchase them.
The party initially scheduled the sale of forms between February 24 and March 5, with a March 7 deadline for submission.
The Anambra PDP governorship primary is set for April 5, followed by an appeal committee sitting on April 8.
However, an insider in the PDP, who spoke to The PUNCH on condition of anonymity, revealed that aspirants are avoiding the party due to internal crises.
The source noted that the ongoing leadership crisis has made aspirants hesitant to invest in the platform.
“As of now, no aspirant has purchased the PDP Anambra governorship nomination forms. They are hesitant due to the party’s instability. The crisis has weakened the party’s influence across different levels, making aspirants cautious about spending such a huge sum,” the source stated.
He further explained that the turmoil, affecting state chapters, zonal bodies, and national organs, has eroded confidence in the party’s ability to conduct a fair primary.
In response to the situation, another party official disclosed that the PDP National Working Committee has revised the election timetable, extending the sale of forms to March 10 to encourage participation.
“The NWC is reviewing the issues, and a revised timetable will be made public before the end of the week. The deadline for purchasing forms has now been extended to March 10,” the source said.
Additionally, a stakeholders’ interactive session with the NWC is scheduled for March 10 at the PDP national headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Abuja.
The PDP’s internal troubles have worsened due to a dispute over the National Secretary position, with Senator Samuel Anyanwu and former National Youth Leader, Sunday Ude-Okoye, battling for the role. The case is scheduled for hearing and judgment at the Supreme Court on March 10.
The situation escalated further after a controversial South-South zonal congress held on February 22, which lacked the approval of PDP governors, creating more divisions within the Board of Trustees, National Working Committee, and National Executive Committee.
PDP National Deputy Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha, acknowledged the party’s crisis but remained optimistic about its chances in Anambra.
“I am not surprised by the situation, but I know the National Organising Secretary has set the ball rolling for the governorship election,” Osuoha told The PUNCH.
He admitted that internal disputes, litigation, and factional struggles have discouraged aspirants but insisted that PDP remains a formidable force.
“Yes, there are unresolved issues from the congresses, but PDP has structures across the country, and these matters will be settled soon. Anambra has always been politically challenging, but things will improve,” he added.
However, PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, argued that the wider disillusionment with Nigeria’s electoral process is the main reason aspirants are reluctant to contest.
“People are tired of investing millions in an election process that lacks credibility. Even if you win fairly, political interference from the presidency can overturn results. That’s why many are hesitant,” Osadolor stated.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission has confirmed that the Anambra State governorship election will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025.
Attempts to reach PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, and the National Organising Secretary for comments were unsuccessful as they neither answered calls nor responded to messages.
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