BREAKING: PDP Set to Announce Jonathan as Presidential Candidate [DETAILS]
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is scheduled to hold a Special National Convention on Saturday to formally ratify former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
The event, which is set to begin at 10:00 a.m. at the ‘A’ Class Event Centre on Kassim Ibrahim Way, Wuse 2, Abuja, was confirmed via an official invitation on Thursday.
The document described the upcoming gathering as a “Special National Convention for the Ratification of the Nomination of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR as the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party.”
The invitation was jointly signed by National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong and National Organising Secretary Theophilus Dakas Shan, both representing the faction backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.
It should be noted that the PDP remains split into two main factions—one aligned with Makinde and the other loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
Saturday’s planned ratification comes immediately after the Kabiru Turaki-led faction conducted its presidential primary election on Wednesday, May 28, to formally cement Jonathan’s positioning. This followed a May 19 decision by the faction’s screening committee, chaired by former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu, which cleared Jonathan as its sole presidential aspirant after granting him an official waiver.
Aliyu noted that the waiver was a recognition of Jonathan’s extensive governance record spanning roles as deputy governor, governor, vice president, and president.
The constitutional path for the former leader’s comeback bid was cleared on Tuesday by the Federal High Court in Abuja. Justice Peter Lifu dismissed a lawsuit attempting to block Jonathan from contesting, ruling that the plaintiff lacked the legal standing to sue.
Justice Lifu added that separate rulings from both a Federal High Court in Yenagoa and the Court of Appeal had already affirmed Jonathan’s eligibility, labeling the fresh lawsuit an abuse of court process.
Jonathan served as president between 2010 and 2015 before peacefully conceding defeat to Muhammadu Buhari. When recently cornered by a group of eager supporters urging him to run in 2027, the former president said that he was still consulting.
