Former President Goodluck Jonathan has been declared the presidential candidate of a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party for the 2027 general election. The decision was taken on Saturday during a special national convention organised by the Tanimu Turaki-led group in Abuja.
The event took place at the faction’s national secretariat located in Area 10, Garki, where party members, delegates and stakeholders loyal to the group gathered to ratify Jonathan’s nomination for the next presidential election.
Although Jonathan was not present at the convention, the faction proceeded with the ratification process and formally announced him as its candidate. His Certificate of Return was received on his behalf by Bayelsa lawmaker, Fred Agbedi.
The development comes amid ongoing disagreements within the PDP over the party’s leadership and the process of selecting candidates ahead of the 2027 elections. The Turaki-led faction has continued to operate separately from other groups within the party, with each side laying claim to legitimacy.
Saturday’s convention marked another step in the faction’s efforts to position itself ahead of the next general election. Members of the group used the gathering to affirm their support for Jonathan and present him as the person they want to fly the party’s flag in 2027.
The announcement is expected to generate further reactions within the PDP, where rival factions have remained divided over the party’s direction and leadership structure. It also adds a new dimension to the growing political activities taking place as parties prepare for the next election cycle.
With the ratification completed, attention is now expected to shift to how other factions within the PDP respond to the move and whether Jonathan will publicly react to the declaration made in his absence.