2027 presidency: PDP faction submits Jonathan’s name to INEC as candidate

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Kabiru Turaki, has submitted the presidential nomination of former President Goodluck Jonathan to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 general elections, despite the commission’s refusal to recognise its leadership.

The development marks a fresh escalation in the party’s internal crisis, as the faction insists it acted in line with the Electoral Act and warns of legal action if INEC publishes a different list of candidates.

Speaking to journalists, the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, said the party resorted to manual submission after INEC declined to provide access codes required for electronic filing.

“Despite INEC’s refusal to grant us access codes, we have successfully submitted our candidates manually in full compliance with the Electoral Act 2026,” he said.

According to him, the submission includes Jonathan’s presidential nomination alongside candidates for governorship, National Assembly, and state assembly seats, all of which were acknowledged by the commission.

Ememobong cautioned INEC against recognising any list other than the one submitted by the faction, stressing that the party would pursue all legal avenues if necessary.

He traced the leadership dispute to a Supreme Court ruling which, he said, left the party without a formally recognised national leadership, prompting the formation of an interim committee backed by the Board of Trustees and a National Executive Committee meeting.

The faction, however, accused INEC of refusing to acknowledge this interim leadership despite formal notification, forcing it to seek redress in court.

Ememobong also criticised a recent Federal High Court judgment on the matter, describing it as inconsistent with earlier rulings by higher courts.

“The judgment reads more like an appeal against decisions of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, which form the basis of our case,” he said.

He added that the party has filed an appeal and would challenge discrepancies between the court’s ruling and its Certified True Copy.

The faction further accused INEC of compromising its neutrality, alleging that the commission’s actions are eroding public confidence in the electoral process.

He warned that attempts to sideline the PDP could signal a broader effort to weaken opposition parties and promote one-party dominance.

Calling on Nigerians to defend democratic values, Ememobong expressed confidence that the party would ultimately prevail.