The Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced plans to hold a special convention on Saturday to formally ratify former President Goodluck Jonathan as its candidate for the 2027 presidential election. The event, set to take place at the A Class Event Centre in Wuse 2, Abuja, will commence at 10 a.m. The announcement was made through an invitation jointly signed by the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Emebong, and National Organising Secretary, Hon. Theophilus Dakas Shan, and circulated across the party’s social media platforms.
This ratification follows a recent court judgment confirming that Goodluck Jonathan is eligible to contest the 2027 presidential election. The Kabiru Turaki faction has been actively pushing for Jonathan’s return to presidential politics, intensifying efforts in recent months to secure his participation. On May 19, the faction declared Jonathan as its sole presidential candidate after he failed to appear before the party’s presidential screening committee for two consecutive days.
A member of the Presidential Screening Committee, Babangida Aliyu, confirmed the development during a press briefing. He stated that Jonathan had been cleared as the party’s sole aspirant and had been granted a waiver to participate in the primary process. “As you know, the party had already given a presidential aspirant the waiver,” Aliyu said. “Like I said in the beginning, he was a deputy governor, became governor, became vice-president and became president. So, we didn’t see anything that needed screening. Therefore, the party had given him a waiver. In other words, he had been declared as the candidate of PDP for the presidential election.”
Despite these declarations, former President Goodluck Jonathan has not yet publicly confirmed his intention to return to active presidential politics or contest the 2027 election. His presence at the Saturday ratification ceremony remains uncertain, raising questions about the faction’s next steps. The move comes amid growing internal divisions within the PDP, as another faction recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and reportedly backed by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has already adopted former national lawmaker Sandy Onor as its presidential candidate.
The PDP’s internal rifts highlight the challenges facing the party as it prepares for the 2027 general elections. With multiple factions vying for control and legitimacy, the political landscape remains fluid. The outcome of Saturday’s event could influence the party’s direction and shape the broader presidential race in Nigeria. As the nation watches, the PDP’s ability to unite behind a single candidate will be crucial in determining its chances in the upcoming election.
Leave a Comment