Wike PDP faction rejects Jonathan 2027 endorsement claim

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party loyal to FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike on Friday denies reports claiming it planned to endorse former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election. The group described the reports as false and said no convention or meeting had been approved to adopt Jonathan for the race.

The clarification was made in a statement issued by the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed. The statement came after reports emerged that a factional Interim National Working Committee led by Tanimu Turaki planned to hold a convention in Abuja on Saturday to affirm Jonathan as the party’s candidate for the next presidential election.

The PDP faction said the reports were misleading and capable of causing confusion within the party and the country’s political space. It maintained that all its primary elections had already been concluded in line with the Electoral Act, party constitution and guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

According to the group, the party had already completed governorship, state assembly, National Assembly and presidential primaries across the country under the supervision of INEC. It also recalled that Senator Sandy Onor had earlier been screened and presented as the PDP presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

The faction urged party supporters and members of the public to ignore the reports linking Jonathan to a planned endorsement process. It also called on the former president to publicly distance himself from the alleged move in order to protect his image and avoid creating tension within the political environment.

The statement further asked security agencies to investigate the source of the reports and take action against those responsible for spreading the information. The party said it would no longer tolerate activities capable of damaging its reputation or weakening its internal structures.

According to the faction, attempts to organise unauthorised political activities in the name of the PDP could create unnecessary division and mislead party faithful ahead of the 2027 election seasons.

The party also restated its commitment to internal democracy, due process and lawful political activities, adding that all decisions concerning its elections and leadership would continue to follow constitutional procedures.

The controversy has added to the growing internal disagreements within the PDP as different groups continue to push conflicting positions ahead of the next general election.