PDP faction to ratify Jonathan as presidential candidate on Saturday

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party is set to hold a Special National Convention on Saturday to formally ratify former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election. The convention is scheduled to take place at the A’ Class Event Centre in Wuse 2, Abuja, beginning at 10am.

An invitation to the event, signed by the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, and National Organising Secretary, Theophilus Dakas Shan, described the gathering as: “A Special National Convention for the Ratification of the Nomination of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR as the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party.” The planned ratification follows a series of moves by the Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the PDP to position Jonathan as its flagbearer for the 2027 election.

On May 19, the faction’s screening committee granted Jonathan a waiver and cleared him as the sole presidential aspirant. Former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu, who chaired the screening committee, said the waiver was granted in recognition of Jonathan’s political experience as deputy governor, governor, vice president, and president.

The faction subsequently conducted its presidential primary on Wednesday ahead of the ratification exercise. The development also follows a recent judgment by the Federal High Court in Abuja affirming Jonathan’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election.

Justice Peter Lifu ruled that the plaintiff seeking to stop the former president from contesting lacked the legal standing to institute the suit, noting that previous court decisions had already affirmed Jonathan’s eligibility.

Reacting to the judgment, the PDP faction described the suit as frivolous and maintained that the ruling had cleared the path for Jonathan’s participation in the presidential race. Despite the moves by the faction, Jonathan has yet to publicly confirm his intention to contest the election.

Speaking earlier to supporters who urged him to run, the former president said: “Presidential race is not a computer game. But I’ve heard you and I’ll consult widely.” He added: “I cannot just wake up and say I want to be the president of Nigeria again. But I am telling you that I will consult.”