PDP Faction Speaks on Alleged Plot to Endorse Jonathan for 2027 Presidency

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has dismissed reports claiming that it planned to organise a convention to endorse former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

The group described the reports as false and unauthorised. It also accused those behind the development of trying to create confusion within the party and the country’s political space.

In a statement issued on Friday, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, said no recognised organ of the party approved or scheduled any convention for the purpose of endorsing Jonathan for the next presidential election.

The clarification followed reports that a faction of the Interim National Working Committee led by Tanimu Turaki had concluded arrangements to hold a convention in Abuja on Saturday to officially adopt Jonathan as the party’s flag bearer for 2027.

The development had sparked reactions in political circles, especially after claims emerged that the convention would produce the former president as consensus candidate ahead of the election.

Reacting to the reports, the party leadership insisted that all its congresses and primary elections had already been concluded in line with the Electoral Act, the PDP constitution, and guidelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

According to the statement, Senator Sandy Onor had already emerged as the party’s presidential candidate after going through the screening and nomination process conducted by the party.

“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 statement read.

“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.”

The party said the reports were designed to mislead the public and create unnecessary tension within the polity.

“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,” the statement added.

The PDP further stated that its primaries for governorship, National Assembly, State Assembly, and presidential positions were peacefully conducted across the country under the supervision of INEC.

The party also called on former President Jonathan to publicly distance himself from the alleged move in order to protect his image and preserve the integrity of the democratic process.

“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,” the statement added.

The opposition party also urged security agencies to investigate those behind the reports and prosecute anyone found to be spreading false information capable of causing political unrest.

It warned that it would no longer tolerate activities capable of dragging the party into disrepute through misinformation and unauthorised political actions.

“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 statement said.