PDP Faction Declares Jonathan Presidential Candidate Despite Sealed Venue

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party led by Tanimu Turaki on Saturday declared former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election. The decision was reached during a special national convention held at the national secretariat of the faction located in Area 10, Garki, Abuja. The group had initially planned to host the convention at the A-Class Event Centre in Wuse 2, but was forced to relocate the event to its operational office in Garki after security operatives sealed off the initial venue. Although Jonathan was not present at the event where his nomination was officially ratified, his Certificate of Return was received on his behalf by a lawmaker from Bayelsa State, Fred Agbedi.

The development was disclosed during a gathering attended by delegates and stakeholders aligned with the Turaki-led faction. Addressing supporters outside the barricaded venue, Turaki accused unnamed political interests of attempting to undermine the democratic process through intimidation and the abuse of power. He stated, "No matter how highly opinionated they may be about themselves, or no matter how they think that they can use their positions to thwart democracy, we want to tell them that Nigeria is bigger than anybody and any group of persons," He further advised party members to maintain peace, stressing that political disputes should be resolved at the ballot box instead of through violence. He said, "We will not fight. The time of fighting will come when we meet at the polls. We will meet you there, we’ll fight you there, we’ll defeat you there, and then we will pin you down on the ground,"

Turaki defended the decision of the faction to proceed with the convention despite not being officially recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission. He argued that their actions were fully supported by court rulings and the constitution of the party. He noted, "What we are doing today is in line with the judgment of the Supreme Court, which affirmed the judgment of the Court of Appeal Abuja Division," He added that INEC had been formally notified of the gathering and expressed confidence that the electoral umpire would eventually validate the entire process. Speaking at the event, a founding member of the PDP and the chairman of the convention, Jerry Gana, described the sealing of the venue as a significant setback for the democratic process.

The convention subsequently ratified the presidential candidature of Jonathan following a motion moved by the Chairman of the PDP State Chairmen Forum and the Chairman of the Edo State chapter of the party, Tony Aziegbemi. The motion was seconded by a former Minister of Aviation, Mohammed Sanusi Dagash, and was immediately adopted by a voice vote. The development followed an announcement made on Thursday by the Interim National Working Committee of the Turaki-led group, which indicated plans to convene a convention to formally endorse Jonathan for the 2027 election. Conversely, the rival faction of the party aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, completely distanced itself from the gathering. Speaking through its National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, the rival group insisted that Sandy Onor remained the official presidential candidate of the party for the upcoming election. In a related development, the media aide to Wike, Lere Olayinka, had issued a warning to event centres across the capital against hosting political meetings that are not officially recognised by INEC.