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A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party aligned with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has announced plans to screen more than 3,000 aspirants ahead of the 2027 general elections as preparations intensify within the party’s camp. The faction disclosed that a total of 3,181 aspirants will undergo screening for various elective positions nationwide. 
According to a statement issued by the faction’s Interim National Working Committee, the aspirants include 2,122 State House of Assembly hopefuls, 748 House of Representatives aspirants, 198 senatorial contenders, 112 governorship aspirants, and one presidential aspirant. The screening exercise is scheduled to take place nationwide on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, beginning at 10:00 a.m. 
The Makinde-backed camp said the move followed resolutions reached during the PDP National Executive Committee’s 104th meeting, where a timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 elections were approved. The faction also announced the constitution of screening committees and appeal panels to oversee the process in line with party guidelines. 
The development further highlights the deepening internal division within the PDP, which has remained split between the faction loyal to Makinde and another camp aligned with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike. While the Makinde bloc has continued with nomination sales, coalition talks, and election preparations, the Wike-backed faction has repeatedly rejected those actions as unconstitutional and unauthorised. 
The latest announcement also comes amid increasing political realignments ahead of 2027, with several prominent politicians already positioning themselves for presidential, governorship, and legislative contests across different parties and coalition platforms. 
