The race for the 2027 presidency has taken a definitive turn within the opposition camp as Senator Sandy Onor, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for Cross River State in the 2023 general elections, formally procured his Expression of Interest and Nomination forms.
Senator Onor, a prominent academic and legislator, completed the procurement on Monday at the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, in Abuja. He is believed to be the first aspirant within the party to officially obtain the presidential nomination forms, marking a significant early entry into the contest for the party’s ticket.
Senator Onor brings a wealth of legislative and political experience to his nascent presidential bid. He represented the people of Cross River Central Senatorial District in the 9th National Assembly from 2019 to 2023, where he was noted for his contributions to national discourse and regional development.
Following his tenure in the Red Chamber, he secured the PDP’s gubernatorial ticket for Cross River State in 2023. Although the election outcome did not favour his bid for the Government House in Calabar, his performance solidified his standing as a formidable force within the party’s southern hierarchy.
The Senator’s entry into the presidential race is being closely watched by political analysts, particularly due to his well-documented alliance with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
As a key member of the G-5-aligned faction during the previous election cycle, Onor’s candidacy is seen by many as a strategic move by the Wike-led interest group to exert influence over the party’s future direction and the 2027 primary process.
“The procurement of these forms by Senator Onor represents more than a personal ambition; it is a clear signal that the struggle for the soul of the PDP is entering a new and decisive phase,” noted a high-ranking party source.
While several names have been touted in connection with the PDP’s presidential ticket, Senator Onor’s decision to be the “first out of the blocks” places him in a unique position to shape the early narrative of the campaign.
As the party prepares for its 103rd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, the emergence of a presidential aspirant from the South-South region traditionally a PDP stronghold is expected to influence discussions regarding zoning, party unity, and the quest to reclaim the presidency from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Senator Onor has yet to release a full manifesto, but supporters within his camp suggest that his campaign will be anchored on legislative reform, national security, and economic revitalisation.
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