Ortom Heads PDP Presidential Primary Committee as Party Moves to Shape 2027 Race

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a significant step in its preparations for the 2027 presidential election by constituting a national committee to oversee its presidential primary process.

At the centre of the exercise is former Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, who has been appointed chairman of a 42-member committee responsible for coordinating and supervising the party’s presidential primary across the country.

The announcement signals the PDP’s determination to organise a nationwide exercise aimed at selecting its standard-bearer ahead of the next general election.

The committee's composition was disclosed in a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Haruna Mohammed Jagunda.

According to the statement, the committee comprises a central leadership team and state coordinators assigned to supervise activities across the federation.

Apart from Ortom as chairman, the committee includes Hajia Hassana Dikko, Mrs. Helen Taiwo Adebakin, Chief Maxwell Okudoh and Mrs. Inime Aguma as key members charged with overseeing the process.

Beyond the leadership structure, the PDP selected 36 coordinators to monitor the conduct of the primary exercise in various states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Among those appointed are Mustapha Obama for the FCT, Amah Abraham, Moris Vonobolki, Ibanga Akpan Brownson, Barrister Aloysius Uba, Adamu Usman Ahmed, George Turnah, and Senator Abba Moro.

The list also features several prominent party figures, including Peter Mrakpor (SAN), Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odi, Chief Dan Orbih, Bisi Kolawole, Ray Nnaji, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, Jones Onyeriri, Mustapha Sule Lamido, Magaji Ahmed Jarma and Dr. Gambo Bello Bichi.

Other notable names include Senator Lado Yakubu Katsina, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Musa Abdullahi Kwara, Adedeji Doherty, David Ombugada, Senator Zainab Kure, Ladi Adebutu, Olaniyi Ogungbuji, Kazeem Gbolarumi, Kingsley Chukwu, Hayatu Tafida, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha and Ibrahim Shehu Gusau.

Party officials explained that the state coordinators were assigned the responsibility of supervising the exercise within their designated areas and ensuring compliance with party guidelines.

The committee was also tasked with collating reports from across the country before forwarding the outcomes to the party leadership for final affirmation.

According to the PDP, the final collation and official announcement of results were scheduled to take place at the NEC Hall of the party’s national headquarters in Wadata Plaza, Abuja.

The formation of the committee comes at a crucial period for the PDP as it seeks to reposition itself ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Following setbacks in previous election cycles and ongoing internal realignments, the party faces mounting pressure to demonstrate unity, transparency and organisational strength.

Presidential primaries often serve as a test of a party’s internal cohesion. The credibility of the process can influence not only the emergence of a candidate but also the confidence of party members, stakeholders and prospective voters.

The choice of Ortom to chair the committee is particularly noteworthy. As a former governor and influential figure within the PDP, he brings significant political experience to a process that could shape the party’s future direction.

The involvement of senior party leaders, former governors, serving and former lawmakers, and grassroots coordinators also reflects the importance the PDP attaches to the exercise.

With the appointment of Samuel Ortom and a nationwide team of coordinators, the PDP has moved to lay the groundwork for one of its most important political exercises ahead of 2027.

While the committee's immediate responsibility is to oversee the presidential primary process, its broader task is to ensure credibility and confidence in the party’s internal democratic system.

As political activities intensify across Nigeria, the outcome of the PDP’s presidential primary will not only determine the party’s candidate but could also influence the shape of the national political contest in the years ahead.