No plans to affirm Jonathan as presidential candidate — Wike-backed PDP

The Nyesom Wike-backed Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, led by Abdulraman Mohammed, has denied convention planned by Tanimu Turaki-led to affirm former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for 2027.

The party National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, in a statement on Friday in Abuja, described the planned convention as false, misleading, and an attempt to create unnecessary political tension in the country.

Mr Mohammed said that no such meeting or affirmation process had been scheduled or approved by any recognised organ of the party.

According to him, the PDP has already concluded all its statutory primary elections—including those for the Presidency, National Assembly, Governorship, and State Houses of Assembly.

He said that it was done in strict compliance with the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Electoral Act, and the party’s constitution.

“The Party wishes to categorically state that no such convention, meeting, or process has been scheduled, approved, or endorsed by the leadership or any recognised organ of the Peoples Democratic Party.

“We, therefore, urge all party faithful, supporters, stakeholders, and members of the public to disregard such false information, as it is misleading, unauthorised, and intended to create confusion within the polity.

“In view of this development, we respectfully call on former President Goodluck Jonathan 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.

He also urged relevant security agencies to investigate the source of the false reports and take decisive action against those behind them.

He warned that the PDP would no longer tolerate its name being dragged into disrepute through unauthorised political activities.

Mr Mohammed reiterated the PDP’s total commitment to internal democracy, due process, and the rule of law.

He advised members of the public to rely strictly on official channels for any communication regarding party affairs.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee of PDP had scheduled its convention for Saturday in Abuja to affirm Jonathan as its presidential candidate for 2027.

NAN also reports that Mohammed-led NWC had on Tuesday affirmed a former member of the National Assembly, Sen. Sandy Onor, as its consensus presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

As at the time of this report, no official comment by Jonathan regarding his ambition for the 2027 presidential race.
NAN