We didn’t bar any presidential aspirant from buying nomination forms – Turaki-led PDP

The Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has denied allegations that it prevented presidential aspirants from obtaining nomination forms ahead of the party’s presidential primary election.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the faction’s spokesman, Ini Ememobong, described the allegations as false and maintained that all interested aspirants were free to purchase and submit their forms within the stipulated timeline.

“We state clearly that the Interim National Working Committee is not aware of any hindrance by the party through its officials to prevent anybody from purchasing the forms,” the statement read.

Ememobong explained that the party recently extended the deadline for the purchase and submission of forms following appeals from members of the party.

“By the amended timetable, the last date for purchase and return of completed forms is Friday, 22nd May 2026, and the special screening for those yet to be screened is on Saturday, 23rd May 2026,” he said.

The faction also insisted that although the party had zoned its presidential ticket to the South, no Nigerian could legally or constitutionally be prevented from contesting for elective office.

“To this end, we urge the public to discountenance any story alleging that the party is preventing people from purchasing forms,” Ememobong stated.

“We reiterate that our forms are still available during the period specified in the amended timetable, and all Nigerians seeking to genuinely contest on our platform are free to obtain, fill, and return their forms.”

The clarification comes days after the Turaki-led PDP announced plans to screen former President Goodluck Jonathan as its sole presidential aspirant.

However, the faction later waived the screening process for Jonathan, with former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu stating that the former president did not need to undergo screening because of his status as a former Nigerian leader.