The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has concluded its governorship primaries across several states, producing Oladipupo Adebutu in Ogun, Mustapha Sule Lamido in Jigawa, and former Attorney General of the Federation, Michael Aondoakaa (SAN), in Benue as flagbearers ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In Ogun State, Adebutu emerged through a consensus process involving delegates from all 20 local government areas, with party leaders affirming his candidacy via voice vote at the primaries held in Abeokuta.

The exercise was supervised by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), with party leaders urging unity ahead of the 2027 polls.

In Jigawa State, Mustapha Sule Lamido, son of former Governor Sule Lamido, was affirmed unopposed as the PDP governorship candidate during a delegates’ congress in Dutse, which drew participants from across the state’s 287 wards.

Lamido, who also flew the PDP flag in 2023, accepted the nomination, describing it as a renewed mandate to rebuild the state and address challenges such as hardship and governance deficits.

In Katsina State, Senator Yakubu Lado secured the party’s ticket after polling 77,013 votes in a peaceful primary conducted in line with the Electoral Act, according to the election committee chairman, Nuradeen Sani.

Similarly, in Benue State, Aondoakaa emerged as the PDP candidate and later announced Dr Oyije Ogbenjuwa as his running mate, pledging to prioritise security and youth inclusion if elected.

In Lagos State, former PDP chairman Adedeji Doherty was adopted as the consensus candidate following a voice affirmation by delegates, while also promising inclusive governance ahead of the 2027 elections.

Other candidates emerging from the primaries include Maurice Vunobolki in Adamawa State and former Oyo deputy governor, Hazeem Gbolarumi, who secured the ticket after defeating his main challenger in a state congress.

In Gombe State, tensions trailed the process as aspirants rejected attempts to include former minister Isa Pantami, insisting on internal party consensus in selecting a flagbearer.

The PDP leadership across states called for unity and cohesion following the primaries, as the party positions itself for a strong challenge against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.