The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) state chairmen have urged former President Goodluck Jonathan to publicly disassociate himself from the Dr Tanimu Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee (INWC), which has falsely claimed he is the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, Austin Nwachukwu, Chairman of the PDP State Chairmen’s Forum and Imo State PDP Chairman, emphasized that Jonathan should not allow his name to be used by the group in what they described as a “macabre dance” of political manipulation.
The state chairmen affirmed that the only legitimate leadership of the PDP is headed by National Working Committee (NWC) Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed, whose authority is recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). They pointed out that while the Turaki-led group manually submitted Jonathan’s name and its list of National Assembly candidates to INEC after failing to obtain access codes, the official NWC successfully uploaded its own candidates, including Senator Sandy Onor as presidential candidate, through the commission’s portal.
The forum highlighted that Jonathan’s name did not appear on INEC’s published list of qualified presidential candidates, proving the electoral body does not recognize him as the party’s nominee. This absence, they argued, underscores the illegitimacy of the Turaki-led group’s claims and actions. The chairmen called on Jonathan to use his global stature and moral authority to address Nigerians directly and distance himself from the ongoing misuse of his name.
They stressed that silence in the face of such exploitation could damage both the party and Jonathan’s legacy of peace and statesmanship. The forum accused the Turaki-led committee of forgery and misrepresenting court judgments to create a false impression of internal division within the PDP. They urged security agencies to investigate these allegations and prosecute anyone found responsible for undermining party unity and national stability.
The chairmen also warned that the group’s reckless activities pose a serious threat to public order, describing their actions as a blatant disrespect for the rule of law. They reiterated that Nigeria is a nation governed by laws, not propaganda or political theatrics. The forum further called on the PDP’s recognized NWC to initiate legal action against the INWC to protect the party’s integrity.
Additionally, they appealed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to review the use of a building in Abuja’s Garki area, reportedly used by the Turaki-led group for meetings. They argued that the facility is being used for activities capable of breaching public peace and potentially leading to a breakdown of law and order in the FCT.
The state chairmen reaffirmed that Abdulrahman Mohammed remains the sole legitimate PDP National Chairman and dismissed those presenting themselves as members of a rival faction as impostors who should be ignored. As the 2027 elections approach, the call for clarity and legal accountability within the PDP becomes increasingly critical to ensuring a peaceful and credible political process across Nigeria.
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