The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said on Monday that it was fully prepared for the 2027 polls, as demonstrated by keeping to the timelines set for the elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
It said the party’s structures in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were ready for the polls.
The National Chairman, Honourable Abdulrahman Mohammed, spoke on the readiness of the PDP during a meeting with a delegation of the International Republican Institute’s Pre-Election Assessment Mission to Nigeria from the United States of America (USA).
Receiving the delegation at the Wadada Plaza National Secretariat in Abuja, Mohammed assured them that as a party that belonged to the ‘people of Nigeria’, it had taken time to mobilise for the elections and do everything possible to support a free and fair poll.
He cited an instance with the recently decided Osun State governorship poll, noting that the outcome also proved that Nigerians embraced democratic principles.
Mohammed spoke further, ‘You are here again in Nigeria. You were in Osun for the governorship election that took place two days ago, and you can attest with the outcome of the election, because the people of Osun turned out en masse to make sure that they make the choice of the person that they want to be the governor of the state.
‘We are Peoples Democratic Party, and we belong to the people of Nigeria, and our yearning and aspiration is to give responsibility to the electorate. That is why for 20-something years ago, the party remained democratic, and it’s all across the 36 states and FCT and the 774 local governments of Nigeria.
‘I want to assure you that the PDP is fully ready for the elections.’
The IRI’s African Regional Director, Jenai Cox, who led the delegation, told the PDP the mission was about engaging stakeholders across board to ascertain the level of preparations for the general elections.
‘Our pre-election assessment mission delegation is here to learn more from a variety of stakeholders about the pre-election period and preparations ahead of the general elections’, she said.
‘So, our team that is here is assessing that situation, assessing how preparations are going, what parties are up to as well, what we should be looking for as we get closer to January, and hearing from a variety of stakeholders’ viewpoints.’
According to Cox, the mission will make recommendations after the discussions with various groups on its observations and how the preparations can be improved upon.
She explained, ‘The mission will have an opportunity to share recommendations towards the end of the week with stakeholders, where we will have a preliminary statement available.
‘So, thank you again so much for having us, and we look forward to hearing from you on your thoughts on the political environment ahead of the elections, and how you are preparing for running in the campaign that is ahead.’