PDP faction denies plans to make Jonathan 2027 presidential candidate

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party has distanced itself from reports alleging that it planned to hold a convention to affirm former President Goodluck Jonathan as its 2027 presidential candidate, describing the claims as false, misleading, and unauthorised.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, in a statement on Friday, also called on security agencies to investigate the source of the reports and prosecute those behind what the party described as an attempt to create political tension and disrepute within the polity.

On Thursday, a faction of the Interim National Working Committee led by Tanimu Turaki announced plans to convene a convention in Abuja on Saturday to formally endorse the former president as the party’s candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

It would be recalled that Senator Sandy Onor was last week screened, cleared, and officially presented as the PDP’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

In response, the PDP urged former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to publicly distance himself from the move to safeguard the integrity of the democratic process and his reputation.

The party stated: “The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party has been drawn to misleading information and unfounded reports circulating in certain quarters regarding an alleged planned convention aimed at affirming former President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR as the presidential candidate of the PDP.

“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 general public to disregard such false information, as it is misleading, unauthorised, and intended to create confusion within the polity.

“It is important for the avoidance of doubt to state that the Peoples Democratic Party has successfully concluded all its primary elections, including those for governorship, State Houses of Assembly, National Assembly, and the presidential primaries in accordance with INEC guidelines, the provisions of the Electoral Act, and the Constitution of the party.”

The party added that the exercises were peacefully conducted nationwide under the supervision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

It continued: “In view of this development, we respectfully call on former President Goodluck Ebele 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.

“We also call on relevant security agencies to swiftly investigate the source of these false reports and take appropriate action against the perpetrators whose motive is nothing but to create political tension in the country.

“The PDP will henceforth not fold its arms and allow the party to be dragged into disrepute through falsehood, misinformation, and unauthorised political activities aimed at undermining its integrity and democratic structures.

“The party remains totally committed to due process, internal democracy, and the rule of law in all its political activities and engagements, and will continue to protect the sanctity of its constitutional processes and decisions.”