Just In: PDP faction ratifies Jonathan as 2027 presidential candidate

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Tanimu Tauraki on Saturday ratified former President Goodluck Jonathan as its candidate for the 2027 election at a special convention held in Abuja.

The ratification of Jonathan as presidential candidate was held at the party’s office in Garki, Area 10 Area of Abuja.

This was after the police sealed off the A-Class Event Centre in Wuse area of Abuja earlier announced as the venue for the special convention to ratify Jonathan.

The ratification event lasted about 20 minutes.

An ally of Jonathan and lawmaker, Fred Agbedi received the certificate of ratification on behalf of the former president who was absent.

Others present at the event included Prof Jerry Gana, Tanimu Turaki, Adolphus Wabara, and several other members of the PDP faction.

Recall that the Nyesom Wike-backed PDP had in a statement on Friday condemned the plan by the Tanimu Turaki-led faction to affirm Jonathan as its presidential candidate in 2027.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary of the faction, Jungudo Mohammed, had in a statement described the planned special convention to ratify Jonathan as false, misleading and an attempt to create unnecessary political tension in the country.

Mohammed also said the PDP has already concluded all its statutory primary elections—including those for the Presidency, National Assembly, Governorship, and State Houses of Assembly in strict compliance with the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Electoral Act, and the party’s constitution.

He also called on the former President to publicly dissociate himself from this charade in order to protect the integrity of the democratic process and preserve the credibility he earned while serving the nation,” Mohammed said.

The Wike-backed faction of PDP had on Tuesday affirmed a former member of the National Assembly, Sen. Sandy Onor, as its consensus presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

Wike, had in a move believed to be targeted at stopping the planned ratification of Jonathan as the presidential candidate threatened to revoke title documents of any event center, hotel or public building that is used for the gathering of ‘illegal organizations’ in a statement issued on Friday.

This was after Kabiru Turaki- faction of PDP announced the previous day that it will hold a special convention to ratify Jonathan as its candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

The PDP faction said the ratification of Jonathan as its 2027 presidential candidate will hold at A Class Event Centre in Wuse 2 area of Abuja.

It had also on 19 May announced Jonathan as its sole presidential candidate for 2027 presidential election.

But the Wike- led faction which is recognized by INEC had earlier this week chosen a former national lawmaker, Sandy Onor, as its 2027 presidential candidate.

The Turaki group is not recognized by INEC and FCTA in the statement warned owners of event centres and hotels to ensure that they only deal with INEC recognised leadership of political parties before they grant permission for use of their facilities for political activities.

“For instance, in this political season, owners of Event Centres and Hotels in particular must ensure that they only deal with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognised leadership of political parties in respect of the use of their facilities, and proper records of transactions must be kept, the FCTA said in a statement signed by Lere Olayinka, Wike’s media aide.